|
Amnesty International Press Release - takes good facts right but draws wrong conclusion
EFLIn a new report, Amnesty International argues that the North Korean government should ensure that food shortages are not used as a tool to persecute perceived political opponents and that humanitarian organizations, in particular UN agencies, have free and unimpeded access to all parts of North Korea. "Hundreds of thousands of people have died as a result of acute food shortages caused by a series of natural disasters, the loss of support from the former Soviet Union and economic mismanagement. Several million children suffer from chronic malnutrition, impairing their physical and mental development," Amnesty International emphasized. Government policies are at least partly to blame. The government appears to have distributed food unevenly, favouring those who are economically active and politically loyal. Government restrictions on freedom of movement prevents North Koreans searching for food or moving to an area where food supplies are better, as they face punishment including detention if they leave their towns or villages without permission. They also hamper the movement, access and monitoring of international humanitarian agencies who have been involved in distributing food aid. This has contributed to donor fatigue and a fall in food aid commitments. "The right to food is a basic human right, and the government of North Korea appears to be failing in its duties to respect, protect and fulfil this right", Amnesty said... Some North Koreans have been publicly executed because they have stolen food or goods to survive - school children have reportedly been taken to see the executions. Now thereâs a field trip. Efforts by the international community to assist in the provision of food to North Korea have been undermined by the governmentâs refusal to allow swift and equitable distribution of this food, and by the restrictions on freedom of information. "Notwithstanding the obstacles to providing assistance, foreign states able to help must also provide the necessary food aid, to enable the North Korea government to fulfil its obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the right to food", Amnesty said. Rather than food let me provide some advice to them - transfer some of your defence budget to buy food. That ought to do it. Posted by: Super Hose 2004-01-22 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=24829 |