UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations yesterday censured North Korea for "widespread and grave violations" of human rights, including torture, executions and forced abortions. The condemnation drew a sharp rebuke from the secretive communist state.
The UN Commission on Human Rights, whose 53 member-states are holding an annual session, urged Pyongyang to co-operate with its special investigator on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The resolution, brought by the European Union and Japan, was adopted by a vote of 30 countries in favour, nine against and 14 abstentions, including South Korea.
It expressed deep concern at 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 US delegation denounced North Korea's "deplorable human rights record". US delegate Sasha Mehra said in North Korea, "150,000 to 200,000 people were believed to be held at detention camps in remote areas for political reasons".
But Pyongyang'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 Choe Myong Nam.
Most targets of the "naming and shaming" at the commission were "developing countries pursuing independent policies with ideals different from those of the West," he added.
China's ambassador Sha Zukang, who voted against the resolution, said: "The effective way to promote human rights does not lie in confrontation and shaming, but rather enlightened dialogue and co-operation".
South Korea's ambassador Choi Hyuck said his country shared other countries' deep concerns about the state of human rights in North Korea but questioned the value of rebukes alone.