Japan, EU Draft Resolution on N. Korea Abductions

Berlin, March 19 (Jiji Press)--Japan and the European Union on Thursday jointly submitted a draft resolution strongly condemning North Korea's systematic human rights violations to the U.N. Human Rights Council The draft, which also urges the reclusive nation to resolve the issue of its abductions of Japanese nationals as early as possible, is expected to be adopted at the council's meeting on March 26 or 27. Citing a Japan-North Korea agreement last May on Pyongyang's comprehensive investigation of the abduction issue, the draft resolution shows expectations for North Korea to provide concrete and positive outcomes. The draft also refers to the U.N. council's plan to hold a panel discussion on the human rights situation in North Korea, including the abduction issue, in September. END