A
United Nations independent expert has warned that three recent rounds
of international sanctions on North Korea over its missile and
nuclear tests could affect the country’s ordinary citizens.
“I
am concerned with the possibility that these sanctions might have a
negative impact on vital economic sectors, and therefore, a direct
consequence on the enjoyment of human rights,” UN Special
Rapporteur Tomas Quintana said Thursday.
Quintana,
speaking to members of the UN General Assembly's human rights
committee, said bans on delivery of vital aid items to North Korea
have made it more difficult for human rights workers to help people
in need in North Korea, especially those affected by serious
illnesses and the disabled.
“History
shows us that sanctions can have a devastating impact on the civilian
population,” he said, adding that human rights staff
in North Korea have also had problems carrying out financial
transactions due to banking sanctions imposed on the country.
The UN
imposed its toughest-ever sanctions on North Korea after the
government in Pyongyang test-fired new ballistic missiles in July and
then conducted its most powerful nuclear test in September.
The
Security Council has slapped export bans on coal, iron, lead,
textiles and seafood, restricted joint ventures and blacklisted a
number of North Korean companies.
Quintana
said a full assessment of the sanctions regime should be carried out
so that the UN could guarantee that the measures do not "effectively
constitute a collective punishment on the ordinary citizens.”
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