UN investigator: more than 60% of N. Korea suffering from lack of foodNovember 3, 2012 - 16:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UN investigator for human rights in North Korea said he saw no improvement in human rights under Kim Jong Un and urged the country's new leader to divert money from his "military first" policy to help more than 60 per cent of the population suffering from a lack of food, according to AP. Marzuki Darusman said in a report and briefing to the UN General Assembly's human rights committee that it was "very disconcerting" to learn that Kim, who succeeded his father last December, had as his "first, second and third priorities" strengthening the military. Darusman, a former Indonesian attorney-general, said about 16 million of North Korea's 25 million people "continue to suffer from varying degrees of chronic food insecurity and malnutrition." He said "deeply rooted economic problems and high levels of malnutrition continue to cripple the country" and urged a reallocation of resources from the military to critically needed food, medicine, water and sanitation. "Slow economic growth coupled with a 'military first' policy will be detrimental to the welfare of the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korean," Darusman warned, using the country's official name. He said that beside adopting misguided economic policies and giving priority to the military "the government compounds its failures to fulfil the economic, social and cultural rights of the people" by classifying the population according to loyalty to the regime "which results in unequal access to food, housing, medical care and employment and education opportunities." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |