N Korea set to face UN censure over rights

AFP, UNITED NATIONS: North Korea could face its strongest condemnation to date of its human rights record when the United Nations votes Thursday on a draft resolution deploring widespread abuses in the deeply reclusive country. European and Japanese diplomats who drafted the measure say they are hoping to garner more votes than last year in the General Assembly, which has condemned Pyongyang’s rights record every year since 2005 -- but to little avail. This year’s measure, co-sponsored by more than 50 countries, condemns “long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights” in North Korea. For the second consecutive year, it encourages the Security Council to consider referring Pyongyang to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Such a move however would likely be blocked by Pyongyang’s sole major ally China, which has veto power in the council.

N Korea set to face UN censure over rights

AFP, UNITED NATIONS: North Korea could face its strongest condemnation to date of its human rights record when the United Nations votes Thursday on a draft resolution deploring widespread abuses in the deeply reclusive country. European and Japanese diplomats who drafted the measure say they are hoping to garner more votes than last year in the General Assembly, which has condemned Pyongyangs rights record every year since 2005 -- but to little avail. This years measure, co-sponsored by more than 50 countries, condemns long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights in North Korea. For the second consecutive year, it encourages the Security Council to consider referring Pyongyang to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Such a move however would likely be blocked by Pyongyangs sole major ally China, which has veto power in the council.