The U.N. Commission on Human Rights on Thursday censured North Korea for “widespread and grave violations” – including torture, executions and forced abortions – drawing a sharp rebuke from the secretive communist state. The resolution urged Pyongyang to cooperate with its special investigator on the Democratic Republic of Korea. (22-APR-2005)
The 53 member states of The U.N. Commission on Human Rights concluded its annual session on 22 April. The resolution, brought by the European Union (EU) and Japan, was adopted by a vote of 30 countries in favor, nine against and 14 abstentions, including South Korea.
The resolution text express deep concern about torture, public executions, arbitrary detention, “infanticide,” imposition of the death penalty for “political reasons,” the existence of a “large number of prison camps” and extensive use of forced labour.
The United States delegation denounced North Korea´s “deplorable human rights record.” U.S. delegate Sasha Mehra took the floor to say that in North Korea, “150,000 to 200,000 people were believed to be held at detention camps in remote areas for political reasons… Defectors report people dying of torture, starvation, disease and exposure or a combination of causes,” she added. “We stand with the victims of the brutal regime.”
North Korea´s delegation reacted angrily, accusing the forum of “politicisation, selectivity and double standards…The fundamental purpose of this resolution is to overthrow the state system of the DPRK,” said member Choe Myong Nam.
North Korea has refused requests by the U.N. special rapporteur or investigator, Vitit Muntarbhorn, to visit the country. Muntarbhorn, a Thai law professor serving in the independent post established a year ago, has reported widespread abuses and urged North Korea to end capital punishment and forced labour.
South Korea´s ambassador Choi Hyuck said that his country shared other countries´ deep concerns about the state of human rights in North Korea but questioned the value of rebukes alone. “We believe as important as it is for the international community to continuously express its concern over the situation…it is equally important to create an environment that encourages the DPRK to change voluntarily…,” Choi said.
“We welcome the resolution as a sign that the Commission is serious about helping improve North Korea’s appalling human rights record,” said Brad Adams, Asia director for Human Rights Watch. “It is high time for North Korea to open its doors, not just to foreign investors, but also to human rights investigators.”
Meanwhile, South Korea’s DongA newspaper reported on April 12 that Beijing has apparently sent back 30 North Koreans after North Korea’s first vice foreign minister, Kang Sok Ju, visited Beijing on April 2-5.
“Given the appalling treatment these North Koreans would face upon return to North Korea, Beijing has an international legal obligation to protect them, regardless of what originally motivated them to come to the People´s Republic of China,” said Adams.
DongA reported, citing an unnamed local source, that since Kang’s visit to the People´s Republic of China, the Chinese authorities have removed a third of 90 imprisoned North Korean migrants who were detained at the Dabei prison in Changchun, Jilin province. Human Rights Watch expressed concern that the imprisoned North Koreans were removed from Dabei prison in preparation to forcibly return them to the North Korean authorities.
Sources:
– Reuters – Stephanie Nebehay
– Human Rights Watch
