The U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva has examined the human rights record of the DPRK, an investigation it makes into each of its member states every four years./Pyongyang was urged by Western powers and South Korean delegates to close their political prison camps, release prisoners, and address several other key human rights violations highlighted by the recent Commission of Inquiry on human rights in the DPRK.

The U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, Robert King, called for North Korea to end the ‘songbun’ caste system which he called "state-sponsored discrimination"; a system that ranks people on their level of devotion to the political dynasty.

Britain's ambassador Karen Pearce indicated concern that impunity allowed crimes against humanity to continue being perpetrated by the DPRK government.

During the debate North Korea defended its human rights record. The DPRK ambassador, So Se Pyong, said his country was improving on several key human rights but that economic sanctions imposed on North Korea hindered progress. Ri Kyung Hun of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly denied all existence of political prison camps “in law and practice”, indicating such claims came from enemies of the DPRK set on “deliberately ignoring the real human rights situation on the ground.”

The North Korean delegation also criticised Christian groups in China of engaging in “hostile acts against the DPRK” by indoctrinating North Korean migrants with “anti-DPRK ideology” and sending them back to the DPRK on subversive missions.

China called for its ally to increase health and housing facilities but highly commended North Korea for making “progress” with its human rights.  

On Monday North Korea will announce which recommendations they will adopt.

Source: Reuters