European Parliament passes resolution on N. Korean human rights

The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution urging North Korea to improve its human rights conditions in a plenary session held at the French city of Strasbourg.

The resolution called on North Korea to abolish capital punishment, guarantee the freedom of expression, religion and movement, comply with international laws on human rights and release those serving prison terms for trying to exercise their basic human rights, parliament officials said.

The resolution also urged North Korea to allow the U.N. human rights monitor to visit the communist state and abolish a food rationing system that provides special favors to high-ranking officials and military personnel, they said.

In particular, the European Parliament urged North Korea to suspend its plan to execute Sohn Jung-nam, who was jailed for conveying news on the North to his brother who fled the hunger-stricken country.

In years past, the European Parliament adopted similar resolutions on North Korea’s human rights several times. Brussels, June 15 (Yonhap News)