UN rights official urges easing of North Korea sanctions over COVID-19 strain

File photo of people wearing protective face masks walk amid concerns over COVID-19 in Pyongyang, North Korea. SEOUL: A United Nations human rights official has called on the international community to urgently consider lifting sanctions on North Korea that may be worsening problems from its coronavirus lockdown, according to a draft report released on Thursday .

North Korea, which has not reported any confirmed infections, has been subjected to UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, with ever tighter measures imposed in recent years.It imposed strict border controls this year among tough measures against the virus, just when it was reeling from sanctions, as well as"systemic economic problems and unusually bad weather conditions", Tomas Ojea Quintana wrote.

The fallout on trade, in turn, threatens food supplies and access to humanitarian aid, he said in the report, which is to be submitted next week to the UN General Assembly."Under the unprecedented situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Special Rapporteur believes that the international responsibility for re-evaluating the sanctions regime is more urgent than ever," he concluded.

Greater implementation of sanctions has started to"seriously affect the entire economy of the country", with adverse consequences for people's economic and social rights, he added. North Korea's dire human rights situation also stands to be exacerbated by the pandemic, through increased surveillance and control of its population and reduced contact with the rest of the world, Quintana said.by North Korean border troops appeared to be an unlawful and arbitrary killing of a civilian, in violation of international human rights law, he said in the report.

But under the current sanctions, it shows itself as a strongman. Aggression towards SoKor, and recently the ICBM show off. Looks like they're not having a hard time.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

UN rights official urges easing of North Korea sanctions over coronavirus strainA UN human rights official has asked the international community to consider lifting sanctions on North Korea that may be worsening problems from its coronavirus lockdown.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

Pompeo plays down North Korea ICBM riskSecretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday (Oct 14) played down North Korea's parading of a massive new long-range missile, saying that ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Seoul's angels: South Korea food delivery giants rev up rider race amid coronavirus boomIn South Korea, some of the world's biggest food delivery firms are scrambling to surf an estimated US$4 billion wave of new orders, contracting ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Build on post-Abe momentum to put ties back on track: Korea HeraldIn its editorial, the paper says that despite their discord, South Korea and Japan share a need to strengthen cooperation.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

No train service on parts of North-South, East-West, Circle lines after power fault: SMRTSINGAPORE: A power fault disrupted train services on parts of the North-South, East-West and Circle lines on Wednesday evening (Oct 14). ... Ok.. West Side Backside Covid 3.0...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

North Korea's nuclear, missile programs 'serious threat' to security: Pentagon chiefU.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Wednesday said North Korea's nuclear and missile programs pose a global threat, after Pyongyang's unveiling ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »