Blinken Emphasizes in State Department Speech and Statement
Foresees Response to Human Rights Violations by North Korea and China
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The United States returned to the United Nations Human Rights Council after 3 years and urged support for the North Korea human rights resolution. The US clearly stated that both North Korea and China are human rights violators.
On the 24th (local time), US Secretary of State Tony Blinken, in a video speech at the 46th regular session of the Council's high-level segment, urged the Human Rights Council to support a resolution addressing global concerns, including ongoing human rights violations in Syria and North Korea, Sri Lanka's lack of accountability for past atrocities, and the need for further investigation into the situation in South Sudan.
This refers to the North Korea human rights resolution, which is usually submitted every March.
The US participated as a co-sponsor of the North Korea human rights resolution from the 13th session in 2010 during former President Barack Obama's administration until the 37th session in 2018, but during the Trump administration, considering withdrawal from the Human Rights Council and denuclearization talks with North Korea, it rarely raised the North Korea human rights issue.
In a separate statement, Secretary Blinken mentioned North Korea, saying, "From investigations into human rights violations in Syria and North Korea to promoting the rights of women, sexual minorities, and minority groups, and fighting against racism and religious persecution, the Human Rights Council must support these struggles against injustice and oppression."
This statement is the first official mention by the Biden administration on the sensitive issue of human rights in North Korea. Although North Korea was not the only country mentioned, it has created potential conflict between the US and North Korea.
In his speech, Secretary Blinken also pressured China, stating, "When atrocities are committed in Xinjiang or basic freedoms are violated in Hong Kong, we will raise our voice for universal values."
Secretary Blinken also expressed his intention to strive for election as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2022?2024 term and requested support.
He added, "Countries with the worst human rights records should not be members of this Council," emphasizing, "We will focus on ensuring that high standards of human rights advocacy are reflected in the Council's participating countries."
This statement targets countries that the US considers human rights violators, such as Russia, China, Venezuela, Cuba, Cameroon, Eritrea, and the Philippines, which are included in the Human Rights Council.
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