UN rights panel challenges Pyongyang over slander claim - Australia Network News - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

UN rights panel challenges Pyongyang over slander claim - Australia Network News - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)



UN rights panel challenges Pyongyang over slander claim

Updated 26 Aug 2013, 6:53pm
PHOTO: Former Australian High Court judge Michael Kirby is leading the UN inquiry into North Korea. (Sergio Dionisio: AAP)
RELATED STORY: UN body hears of North Korean prison torture
MAP: Korea, Democratic People's Republic Of

The head of a UN inquiry into human rights in North Korea has challenged Pyongyang to back its allegation that testimony gathered by his commission amounted to "slander".

The Commission of Inquiry has concluded its five day hearing, listening to the testimonies of 40 witnesses in the South Korean capital, Seoul.

It is investigation alleged human rights abuses in North Korea's prison camps.

Most of the testimonies have come from North Korean defectors.

The Commission is being chaired by the retired Australian High Court judge Michael Kirby, who said the panel had been "deeply moved" by the testimonies.

"The specificity, detail and shocking character of much of the testimony, appears to call for a response from the international community," he said.

"It is not good enough to produce just another UN report."

But Pyongyang has condemned the hearings, describing them as an exercise in "slander" and denying allegations of rights abuses.

It also said they could set back the recent improvement in relations with South Korea.

Mr Kirby said he would welcome evidence that could show that any of the witnesses' testimony are untrue.

The Commission of Inquiry is the first UN expert panel to officially examine North Korea's human rights record.

Its final report will be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council next year and will include any recommendations of possible action to be taken against North Korea.

The Commission also plans to collect witness testimony in Japan, Thailand, Britain and the United States.

AFP

Topics: rights, korea-democratic-peoples-republic-of, korea-republic-of, asia

First posted 26 Aug 2013, 2:32pm
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