Every man, woman and child has the inalienable right to be free from hunger and malnutrition in order to develop fully and maintain their physical and mental faculties. Society today already possesses sufficient resources, organizational ability and technology and hence the competence to achieve this objective. Accordingly, the eradication of hunger is a common objective of all the countries of the international community, especially of the developed countries and others in a position to help.
-Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and Malnutrition
Freedom from hunger and malnutrition is one of the most fundamental rights enshrined in the U.N.’s International Bill of Human Rights. Food should never be used as an instrument of political and economic pressure.
North Korea
Natural disasters, economic mismanagement and the famines in North Korea left the population malnourished and dying of starvation. The Stalinist regime is doing nothing and even restricting access to international organizations supplying aid. The widespread malnutrition forced many North Koreans to flee to neighboring countries seeking aid. Many have become victims to the regime’s restrictive policies.
“The 13 women and two men were shot on a bridge in the north-eastern town of Onseong as local residents watched. It was the second mass execution to be reported this week.”
North Korea has publicly executed 15 starving people, mostly women, for illegally entering neighbouring China in search of food
“At the moment, according to UN estimates, 6.5 million North Koreans (out of a total population of 23 million) have nothing to eat; the numbers could rise rapidly even within the next few days. Entirely dependent on international aid, North Korea has closed its borders after the worldwide condemnation prompted by its atomic tests. This has created a shortage of supplies, which, because of last year’s floods, continue to deteriorate.”
Population crushed by famine, but the regime saves the statues of the Kims
Summary: North Korea Witness on the Crimes against Humanity in North Korea
Myanmar
Devastated by Cyclone Nargis the Burmese people have yet to recover from the floodings. The Junta itself is of no help hampering delivery, preventing passage for foreign aid workers to assist in the relief effort.
The Junta’s intention is clear… stay in power, sacrifice the people. The generals are feeding the army first to keep dissent and revolt down while sacrificing aid for the cyclone victims.
Delays will only mean more time for diseases to spread, malnutrition to rise and more deaths.
“Clearly, the authorities in Burma are completely incapable of responding to a tragedy of this scale and will be heavily dependent on outside help to avert an even bigger tragedy of starvation and disease caused by a lack of safe drinking water,” the Asian Human Rights Commission statement.
“Hammered by Cyclone Nargis, many superstitious Burmese cannot help but believe that nature has finally intervened and punished Burma. But it’s is not fair, they say. The cyclone didn’t hit Naypyidaw where all the top brass live.” Divine Intervention?
The Junta plans a referendum on May 24 to cement it rule using the food aid as political blackmail. Hunger can easily sway votes to the regime. When will Myanmar say enough is enough?
Food has become a tool of control for desperate regimes holding on to power. Children are so affected under this regimes, their futures marred by malnutrition relegated to a zombie-like existence their brains underdeveloped. Clearly what North Korea and Myanmar see as ideal citizens.
Aid is not enough, its only a stop-gap measure. Will the world come to its senses and truly/really help the oppressed? Will humanity someday have no borders or territorial ambition?
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