UNGA Votes For Draft Resolution Referring North Korea To ICC For Crimes Against Humanity

UNGA Votes For Draft Resolution Referring North Korea To ICC For Crimes Against Humanity

A United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) committee has voted in favour of a draft resolution referring North Korea to the International Criminal Court/ICC for crimes against humanity as well as “targeted sanctions” for blatant human rights abuses, a CNN report stated. The 111-19 vote with 55 abstentions is a recommendation. Currently, the UNGA does not have the power to refer the regime to the ICC for alleged abuses of human rights.

Referral to ICC: Power Lies with UNSC

While the non-binding measure will appear for vote by the General Assembly in December, the power and authority to refer the country to the ICC is only with the UN Security Council. The 15 member UNSCO controls global security in the world.

Resolution Opponents

The 5 permanent members at the core of the UNSC including Russia and China have veto powers. Opponents of the resolution include China, Russia and Cuba. The opponents are saying the resolution is politically manipulated and it would set a standard for other countries to be targeted in a similar manner in the future. A representative of North Korea said to the UN that the resolution "failed to reflect the reality on the ground.”

China Likely To Use the Veto

China has indicated that it will be probably using its veto as sending North Korea’s leaders to the ICC will not help to improve the worsening human rights condition in this nation. North Korean leaders have been accused of employing murder, torture, slavery, rape and mass starvation to give the regime power and have complete control over citizens.

North Korea has denied the existence of such human rights abuses or political camps in the nation. The Asian nation has accused US and its allies for seeking to overthrow the regime.

Previously, China along with Russia have vetoed a USC resolution asking ICC to investigate war crimes in Syria. They were 2 of 15 nations to vote against the resolution.

UN Report on Human Rights Urges Action

In the month of February, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea published a 400 page report documenting widespread abuse and torture. The report urged referral of findings to ICC for prosecution. More than 320 witnesses in public hearings as well as private interviews provided information to the commission regarding the violation of human rights.

North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, So Se Pyong, was quoted as saying the United States and "other hostile forces" had fabricated the report in an attempt to "defame the dignified image of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and eventually eliminate its social system.”

Prior to the recent vote, an amendment proposed by Cuba for deleting the language regarding the ICC referral was rejected 77-40 with about 50 abstentions. Cuban Ambassador Rodolfo Reyes Rodriguez was quoted as saying UN resolutions targeting North Korea or any other nation were a "tool to attack others."

The Resolution

The resolution was passed with 111 accepted votes, 19 rejections and 55 abstentions. The resolution will appear before the full UNGA for formal approval in December this year. The resolution also asked the UNSC to consider targeted sanctions against those causing the human rights abuse and violations in North Korea.