What is the Meaning of the General Assembly Resolution Passed Today on North Korean Human Rights Abuses?

What is the Meaning of the General Assembly Resolution Passed Today on North Korean Human Rights Abuses?

- The key clauses note that 1) North Korean leadership has committed "crimes against humanity" for decades, and 2) these abuses should be considered by the Security Council for possible referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

- The majority voted with one hundred eleven in favor, nineteen opposed, and fifty-five abstentions, which constitutes a historic step by the United Nations to address human rights abuses in North Korea despite efforts by Cuba and some others to water down the resolution.

- North Korea is likely to respond negatively to the resolution and the failure of their smile offensive in the past few weeks to deflect human rights criticism.

- The key result of the General Assembly resolution is not an immediate referral by the Security Council to the ICC (given the likely vetoes), but that North Korean crimes against humanity is now an actionable Security Council agenda item for future debate, statements, sanctions, and accountability.

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