In rare move, China blocks webcasting of UN North Korea rights meeting

Robert Besser
18 Mar 2023, 16:41 GMT+10

China has blocked the United States from broadcasting over the internet an informal United Nations Security Council meeting on human rights abuses in North Korea.
The meeting was scheduled for Match 17, but the 15 council members have to unanimously agree to allow it to be webcast.
Pyongyang rejects accusations of human rights abuses and blames sanctions for a dire humanitarian situation in North Korea.

UNITED NATIONS: China has blocked the United States from broadcasting over the internet an informal United Nations Security Council meeting on human rights abuses in North Korea.

Diplomats said it is rare for a broadcast to be blocked.

The meeting was scheduled for Match 17, but the 15 council members have to unanimously agree to allow it to be webcast.

China told its council colleagues this week, in an email seen by Reuters, that the discussion "won't bring any benefit, and we have been against the holding of this ... meeting from the very beginning," China said.

Pyongyang rejects accusations of human rights abuses and blames sanctions for a dire humanitarian situation in North Korea. The country has been under U.N. sanctions over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs since 2006.

"Why is China so afraid of discussing human rights publicly?" asked a U.N. diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The aim of the informal council discussion is to spotlight rights abuses in North Korea and "identify opportunities for the international community to promote accountability," according to a note to council members last week from the United States and elected council member Albania, which is co-hosting the meeting.

The discussion comes amid increasing international tensions over North Korea.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to India Gazette.

More Information

23 ℃

Haze in New Delhi/Gandhi

Business

Section

France says fishermen must end deaths of dolphins-porpoises in nets

PARIS, France: Amidst the mass deaths of dolphins and porpoises in recent years, France's highest administrative body has ordered the ...

Philippines finds leaking fuel tanker 3 weeks after sinking

MANILA, Philippines: An underwater robot from Japan has located a leaking fuel tanker, MT Princess Empress, which sank off the ...

U.S. stocks tumble as UK inflation rate spikes to 10.40 percent

NEW YORK, New York - A hike in official U.S. interest rates of 0.25 percent, and a jump in inflation ...

Amazon to cut 9,000 jobs, bringing total layoffs to 27,000

SEATTLE, Washington: In a memo to staff sent this week, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said the company plans to cut ...

Defective break hose, wiper arm causes Ford recall of 1.5 million cars

DETROIT, Michigan: Due to leaking brake hoses and windshield wiper arms that can break off, Ford is recalling more than ...

Techs jump in widespread U.S. stock markets advance

NEW YORK, New York - Wall Street continued its advance on Tuesday as investors continued to weigh up the health ...

Delhi

Section

Movie Review

The New York Ripper (Lo squartatore di New York) (4K UHD)

New York Ripper