World Bulletin / News Desk

North Korea on Monday boycotted a special session at the UN Human Rights Council, where experts warned that the country's increasing isolation could worsen its already disastrous rights situation.

And a separate group of experts, charged with exploring legal pathways to hold North Korea accountable for widespread rights abuses and crimes against humanity, reiterated calls to have the country referred to the International Criminal Court in the Hague. 

But when council president Joaquin Alexander Maza Martelli called on North Korea to respond, as is customary, the country's delegation was absent. 

Last March, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong said the country would "no longer participate in international sessions singling out the human rights situation of (North Korea) for mere political attack," accusing the council of "politicisation, selectivity and double standards." 

Quintana cautioned that escalating hostilities since North Korea resumed nuclear tests and missile launches in January 2016, including last week's launch of missiles toward the Sea of Japan (East Sea), "have put the few existing opportunities for cooperation and dialogue on human rights in jeopardy."