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

Fri, 22 Sep 2023

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 The UK News.

More Information

12 ℃

Fair in Newham

International

Section

9 teenagers caught after escaping from Pennsylvania detention center

MORGANTOWN, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania state police said that nine teenage boys who escaped from the Abraxas Academy detention center this week ...

3,000 homeless in Anchorage looking for a place to stay before winter

ANCHORAGE, Alaska: Anchorage is struggling to find housing options for more than 3,000 homeless residents, as the city's mass shelter ...

South Korean teachers seek legal defense against abusive parents

SEOUL, South Korea: Thousands of South Korean educators and school staff gathered in Seoul over the weekend to demand increased ...

Polish government bans all Russian-registered passenger cars

WARSAW, Poland: As part of European Union (EU) sanctions imposed against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Poland banned all ...

Over 10,000 Alabama 3rd graders may be held back due to reading law

MONTGOMERY, Alabama: Last week, Alabama's school chief, Superintendent Eric Mackey, said that under new reading benchmarks to move to fourth ...

Federal Reserve losses surpass $100 billion, and still rising

WASHINGTON D.C.: Last week, the Federal Reserve said its losses surpassed the US$100 billion mark and will likely continue to ...

Football

Section

Asian Games Open Saturday in China

The Asian Games are an attention grabber. For starters, they involve more participants than the Summer Olympics. Organizers say more ...

USWNT beats South Africa in Julie Ertz's final match

(Photo credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports) Julie Ertz bid farewell to the U.S. women's national team on Thursday, helping it ...

USWNT wins in Julie Ertz's final match, vs. South Africa

(Photo credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports) Julie Ertz bid farewell to the U.S. women's national team with a 3-0 victory ...

Russia can still qualify for the 2026 World Cup RFU boss

Alexander Dyukov has revealed Russia's football exile might end before the next World CupAlexander Dyukov, the president of the Russian ...

"He will bounce back": Erik ten Hag on Andre Onana after United's defeat in UCL

Munich [Germany], September 21 (ANI): Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag spoke on Andre Onana after United's 4-3 defeat ...

UCL: Jude Bellingham scores lone goal to clinch win for Real Madrid

Madrid [Spain], September 21 (ANI): Spanish giants Real Madrid beat Union Berlin by 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) ...

Movie Review

Tori and Lokita (Tori et Lokita)