N Korea boycotts UN review of rights record
NORTH Korea boycotted a special session at the UN Human Rights Council, where experts warned the country’s increasing isolation could worsen its already disastrous rights situation.
The UN’s top expert on the human rights situation in North Korea, Tomas Ojea Quintana, told the council in Geneva that increasing military tensions in the AsiaPacific region had further isolated the Stalinist state.
And a separate group of experts, charged with exploring legal pathways to hold North Korea accountable for widespread rights abuses and crimes against humanity, reiterated calls to have the country referred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
But when council president Joaquin Alexander Maza Martelli called on North Korea to respond, as is customary, the country’s delegation was absent.
In March last year, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong said the country would no longer participate in international sessions singling out the human rights situation of North Korea for mere political attack, accusing the council of politicisation, selectivity and double standards.
Quintana cautioned that escalating hostilities since North Korea resumed nuclear tests and missile launches in January last year, including last week’s launch of missiles toward the Sea of Japan, had put the few existing opportunities for cooperation and dialogue on human rights in jeopardy.
Quintana also raised concerns about the human rights implications of the murder in Malaysia last month of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un.
Diplomats yesterday forcefully backed calls for Pyongyang and the perpetrators of rights violations in North Korea to be held accountable.
US representative William Mozdzierz emphasised the need for justice and accountability.
The EU and Japan said they planned to present a resolution to the council, calling for concrete measures at ensuring accountability for crimes committed by North Korea. – AFP