Robert Besser
18 Mar 2023, 16:41 GMT+10
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.
Get a daily dose of Middle East Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Middle East Star.
More InformationWASHINGTON D.C.: The US Commerce Department has proposed new laws aimed at preventing China and other countries deemed of concern ...
MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Amid Tesla's plan to open a $5 billion Gigafactory in the country, Mexico will soon become an ...
SEATTLE, Washington: In a memo to staff sent this week, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said the company plans to cut ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The US Federal Reserve Bank has announced that cash-strapped banks throughout the US borrowed some $300 billion during ...
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 25 (ANI): State-owned Bank of Baroda announced that it is providing a range of solutions to ...
New Delhi [India], March 25 (ANI): Delhi Capitals skipper Ricky Ponting said on Friday that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who is ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that infections by the potentially deadly fungus ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The US Supreme Court will hear a trademark dispute over a dog toy shaped like a Jack Daniel's ...
KABUL, Afghanistan: Afghanistan's education ministry has announced that the country's school year has begun, but the United Nations children's agency, ...
TAIPEI, Taiwan: In an effort to ease tensions between Taiwan and China, former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou will visit Beijing ...
NIAMEY, Niger: Four weeks after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger, an American aid worker and a French ...
BRUSSELS, Belgium: While chairing a meeting of EU foreign and defense ministers in Brussels this week, European Union (EU) foreign ...