U.N. adopts resolution on N. Korean human rights abuses

By Byun Duk-kun

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- The United Nations on Thursday adopted a resolution on North Korean human rights, condemning systematic and gross human rights violations in the reclusive nation.

It marks the 17th consecutive year the UNSC has adopted a resolution on North Korean human rights.

The latest resolution was adopted by consensus at the U.N. General Assembly. Its passage comes about a month after the U.N. General Assembly Third Committee passed the resolution.

The resolution says the United Nations "condemns in the strongest terms the long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights in and by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, including those that may amount to crimes against humanity."

It also expresses serious concerns over "the persistence of continuing reports of violations of human rights" that include "torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

The resolution calls on the North Korean government to immediately halt its "systematic" and "widespread" violations and abuses of human rights and to also shut down its political prison camps.

It also calls on Pyongyang to work with international organizations, including the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX), to ensure the "timely delivery and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines" to its people, noting the North's dire humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by natural disasters and the pandemic.

bdk@yna.co.kr
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