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“The passing of totalitarian leader Kim Jong-il presented an opportunity for the regime to emerge from six decades of self-inflicted misery and isolation,” Canada’s Guillermo Rishchynski told delegates.

The non-binding resolution, which was drafted by the European Union, was adopted by the 193-nation committee through consensus without a formal vote and is slated to pass at the General Assembly after it is sent up for a vote later this month, Reuters reported Wednesday.

“Canada calls on the regime to close its concentration camps and to abide by its human rights obligations,” Mr. Rishchynski told the committee. “Even the strongest dictatorship cannot withstand faith, it cannot withstand truth, and it cannot withstand freedom. The people of North Korea deserve to have freedom and are entitled to the basic rights that all should enjoy. We hope to one day see this day.”

Mr. Sook said Canada was uttering “groundless allegations” and he urged Ottawa to “give up its hostile policy against” the country.

At a humanitarian committee meeting just a day before, Iran called Canada “racist” and “self-centered” for leading a resolution condemning the regime’s human rights abuses. Iran’s ambassador to the UN said Canada itself has “a long list of human rights violations” against immigrants, Muslims, aboriginals and “Afro-Canadian women,” and accused Ottawa of “abusing human rights mechanisms to advance its self-centered political interests.”

Iran, along with China, Cuba and Venezuela made clear they rejected Wednesday’s resolution on North Korea.

Rick Roth, a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, said Canada will not back down on calling for an improved human rights situation in North Korea.

“We viewed the change in leadership as an opportunity to turn the page on the dark history of North Korea,” he said in an email. “Unfortunately, it seems that the North Korean leadership wants to continue down this dangerous path.”

—National Post

kcarlson@nationalpost.com

@kblazecarlson