North Korea Under Watchful Eye of UN

The 59th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights held in Geneva, Switzerland, adopted a resolution on basic human rights in North Korea including such issues as insisting North Korea end punishment of North Korean refugees. Accordingly, human rights issues have been raised on an international scope and will be closely monitored by outside sources.

This is the first time ever in the 57 years of the United Nations` history that human rights issues in North Korea have become an official matter among government organizations.

The UN Commissioner adopted a resolution submitted by the European Union on Wednesday through a vote by its 53 member countries. The Korean government, already with member eligibility, did not participate in the vote, considering the North Korean nuclear crisis and its relationship with its neighbor.

After expressing concern for North Korea`s violation of basic human rights, the seven article resolution insisted that `for the reasons of protecting humanity, North Korea must stop considering citizens who leave its country to other nearby countries as traitors as well as imprisonment and ill-treatment of those people.`

The resolution also gave authority to the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCHR) to take the charge in initiating conferences with the North Korean government. The UNHCHR will request a meeting on human rights with North Korea shortly.

The European Union added another section on `allowing free encounters of UN organizations to personally deliver support to citizens of North Korea` to the resolution submitted to the Commission last week, insisting on clarity with regards to food and humanity support to North Korea.

Along with the above stated items, the resolution made statements on such items as restrictions on freedom of expressing religious opinions as well as gatherings and freedom in domestic and international travel; torture and inhumane punishment; public executions as well as for political means; forced labor; prisons removing a prisoners` rights; and malnutrition of North Korea`s children.

The resolution also insisted that North Korea conform to international agreements regarding residential and political rights; taking part in a torture prohibition agreement; and resolving problems on abduction of foreigners.

“This resolution will worsen the current crisis on the Korean Peninsula,” the North Korean representative participating in the session as an observer said in response.

Jei-Gyoon Park phark@donga.com