United Nations: A key United Nations committee has passed a resolution slamming Myanmar, Iran and North Korea for human rights "abuses" despite objection by several developing nations, including India, which questioned singling them out for criticism.

India voted against resolutions, supported by overwhelming number of western states, on Myanmar and Iran and abstained on one criticising North Korea's human rights record.

Several delegations also protested that the texts represented an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of Member States and were politically motivated with no bearing on or real interest in human rights. The resolution strongly condemning Myanmar was adopted by 88 votes to 24 with 66 member States abstaining.

The one expressing deep concern over human rights violations in Iran passed with 72 votes to 50 with 55 abstentions and the North Korea's systematic and widespread abuses were condemned by 97 votes to 23 with 60 abstentions by the General Assembly's humanitarian, social and cultural committee on which all 192 members of the world body are represented.

Explaining India's vote on the resolution criticizing Myanmar's human rights record, its delegate Kunwar Sarvraj Singh stressed on the need to promote human rights through dialogue, consultations and cooperation, saying this approach has a better chance of leading to "genuine" improvement.

"We need a self critical appraisal whether the international community has managed to achieve genuine improvement in human rights through giving of "report cards" against countries or even by undertaking intrusive monitoring, he said.

Source : PTI