UN urges probe into human rights violations in N. Korea February 5, 2013 - 18:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A UN special investigator is urging the world body to open an inquiry into North Korea for possible crimes against humanity, AP said. UN special rapporteur Marzuki Darusman is recommending that the Geneva-based Human Rights Council investigate North Korea's "grave, widespread and systematic violations of human rights." Darusman's report Tuesday, February 5 says a review of the isolated country's record since 2004 shows the need for a probe to fully document the responsibility of government and individuals for alleged abuses "in particular where they amount to crimes against humanity." The report cites nine patterns of violations such as prison camps and using food to control people. In a lengthy response, North Korea's UN mission in Geneva calls the new UN report "politically motivated." Partner news  Top stories Among its provisions are bans on child marriage and the traditional practice of selling and buying women to settle disputes. Jorge Rafael Videla, an austere former army commander, led Argentina during the bloodiest days of its Dirty War dictatorship. According to the United Nations, April was Iraq's bloodiest month for almost five years, with 712 people killed. Reports suggest the rebel fighters may have tried to blow up the walls of the prison, which holds some 4,000 inmates.   Partner news |  Latest news John Lennon’s guitar auctioned for $408,000  The custom-made instrument, built in 1966 by the VOX company, was bought by an unidentified U.S. buyer in New York.Benicio del Toro’s “Jimmy P” debuts in Cannes main competition The film is telling of the relationship between a troubled native American vet and his equally idiosyncratic therapist.Weinstein’s RADiUS nabs cult helmer’s "Blue Ruin" at Cannes The story centers on a man who finds his quiet life upended by unwelcome news and sets off for his childhood home to carry out an act of revenge.UN chief: conference Syrian settlement to take place “very soon” The conference would be a follow-up to last year’s international meeting in Geneva that drafted a peace roadmap for Syria. |
