South Korean lawmakers and North Korean diplomats have clashed during the 19th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

During the session held in Geneva on Monday, the South’s parliamentary delegation to the meeting urged the North’s ambassador to the UN to stop demanding China to repatriate North Korean escapees, saying such a policy violates human rights. A physical scuffle ensued between South Korean legislators and North Korean diplomats.

During Monday’s session, cases in which human rights were violated by the North’s government were reported. Such cases were put together by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in North Korea, Marzuki Darusman.

Darusman explained the plight of escapees who are forcibly sent back home, including how they face execution from the North’s government upon return.