Swiss urge North Korea to reopen borders for ‘crucial’ humanitarian aid
North Korea has imposed an ultra-lockdown against the Covid-19 pandemic but still officially has no cases.
Keystone / Cha Song Ho
Switzerland has called on North Korea to reopen its borders for urgent humanitarian aid and Covid-19 related medical evacuations, saying this is “crucial”.
Swiss number two at the UN mission in Geneva Felix Baumann told the Human Rights Council on Wednesday that Bern remains concerned about the “significant lack of improvement” in human rights in North Korea. He pointed to “serious” and “systematic” violations, including reports of torture and forced labour, particularly in detention centres.
This follows a report to the Human Rights Council last week saying North Korea was using the coronavirus pandemic to further undermine fundamental rights. UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the country Tomas Ojea Quintana referred to unconfirmed reports of a policy to “shoot on sight” those who try to escape the secretive country, which the United States also denounced on Wednesday before the UN body.
The report says several people have been executed or detained in a new anti-coronavirus prison for failing to honour pandemic-related quarantines. The North Korean authorities have not yet announced a single case of Covid-19 infection.
The Special Rapporteur noted that only three international aid workers remain in the country. He also states in his report that probable crimes against humanity are still taking place. He asked the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to organise an international conference on prisons in the country.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
The 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival opens
This content was published on
On Wednesday evening, Swiss Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider officially opened Switzerland’s premier film festival.
Female gorillas prevent inbreeding by avoiding groups with male relatives
This content was published on
Female gorillas do not change groups randomly. They avoid the males they grew up with, thus preventing inbreeding, according to a study by the University of Zurich.
Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Jucoin to set up Swiss offshoot
This content was published on
Zug's Crypto Valley is getting a new addition. The Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Jucoin will set up its European headquarters in Baar, as the company announced on Wednesday.
Natural disasters lead to second most expensive half-year for insurers
This content was published on
The wildfires in California and storm damage have led to the second most expensive first half of the year ever for the insurance industry.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland tightens North Korea sanctions again
This content was published on
Switzerland has again tightened sanctions against North Korea, in line with a UN resolution, keeping up pressure on Pyongyang.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.