North Korea rejects accusations of rights violations

PYONGYANG North Korea has angrily rejected a UN resolution on the establishment of an international commission to review the human rights violations in that country. Pyongyang has said it will "step up the fight against the United States". North Korea rejects accusations of rights violations The resolution was a "political harassment that does not deserves being mentioned," said a spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry, reported the official KCNA agency. He added that the resolution was the product of political confrontation and conspiracy, said the North Korean news agency. The United Nations formed an international commission of inquiry on Thursday that should review the human rights violations in North Korea and said that some of these cases can "grow into crimes against humanity." The Geneva forum, which has 47 members, unanimously adopted the resolution offered by the European Union and Japan, supported by the United States, condemning the alleged torture, lack of food, and work camps for political prisoners. The three-member research team is to work for one year, a statement from the Forum said, inviting at the same time Pyongyang to cooperate in the investigation, Reuters reported. In yesterday's debate, the North Korean ambassador So Se Pyong rejected the resolution as "an instrument that serves the political objectives of the enemy forces in their attempt to discredit the image of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." (Beta/AP, file) Tanjug

North Korea rejects accusations of rights violations

The resolution was a "political harassment that does not deserves being mentioned," said a spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry, reported the official KCNA agency.

He added that the resolution was the product of political confrontation and conspiracy, said the North Korean news agency.

The United Nations formed an international commission of inquiry on Thursday that should review the human rights violations in North Korea and said that some of these cases can "grow into crimes against humanity."

The Geneva forum, which has 47 members, unanimously adopted the resolution offered by the European Union and Japan, supported by the United States, condemning the alleged torture, lack of food, and work camps for political prisoners.

The three-member research team is to work for one year, a statement from the Forum said, inviting at the same time Pyongyang to cooperate in the investigation, Reuters reported.

In yesterday's debate, the North Korean ambassador So Se Pyong rejected the resolution as "an instrument that serves the political objectives of the enemy forces in their attempt to discredit the image of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."