Food insecurity in North Korea at alarming level: UN rapporteur

Tomas Ojea Quintana, a UN independent investigator on situation of human rights in rth Korea, said that food insecurity in nation is at an alarming level. He told General Assembly's human rights committee that 140,000 rth Korean children are estimated to be suffering from undernutrition. This includes 30,000 who face an increased risk of death. UN investigator said that Government has failed to provide m with food due to its failing ecomic and agricultural policies. He ded that climate conditions, infertile land, natural disasters and negative impact of sanctions also create furr food insecurity in region. Quintana said that he failed to see any improvement in rth Korea's human rights situation during his three years of observation as a special rapporteur.

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Loopholes in Public distribution system

Quintana said that in rth Korea, ecomic resources are being diverted from basic amenities and that re is 'pervasive' discrimination in public distribution system. discrimination me life of ordinary citizens difficult, especially for farmers and natives in rural areas who receive rations. Quintana blamed rth Korean government for failing to put in place conditions where people can securely eng in tre and exchange in marketplaces without facing criminalisation, extortion and or forms of abuse. He said that majority of rth Koreans are engd in market place and only moneyed have access to basic rights such as education, health care, freedom of movement and equate housing. He furr described scenario, saying that re are severe restrictions and surveillance on civilians.

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rth Koreans flee to China

Quintana also mentioned that citizens fear of being sent to a political prison camp named 'Kwanliso'. Exercising basic human rights becomes a threat as many times as citizens are misre as spies, he ded. Many rth Koreans have fled to China, Quintana said that in past six months, maximum of which are detained in region. UN investigator asked China to t return m as y might face torture once returned. Chinese Government has increased engment with Quintana on matter, he said. 

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rth Korea has accepted 132 recommendations from or UN member states, including one "to grant immediate, free and unimpeded access to international humanitarian organizations to provide assistance to most vulnerable groups, including prisoners and could, refore, be an opportunity to improve prison conditions," Quintana said.

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