North Korea

Human Rights in North Korea

Kim Jong-Un’s succession as North Korea’s supreme leader after the death of his father, Kim Jong-Il, has had no positive impact on the country’s dire human rights record. More than 200,000 North Koreans, including children, are imprisoned in camps where many perish from forced labor, inadequate food, and abuse by guards. Arbitrary arrest, lack of due process, and torture are pervasive problems. There is no independent media, functioning civil society, or religious freedom. Government policies have continually subjected North Koreans to food shortages and famine. Human Rights Watch is pressing for a UN commission of inquiry to investigate possible crimes against humanity in North Korea.

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North Korea: Denial of Rights Forces Back Refugees

North Korea should immediately reveal the whereabouts and well-being of nine North Korean refugees who were forced back to Pyongyang from Beijing on May 28 according to media reports, Human Rights Watch said today, emphasizing that the government must ensure that they are not punished for having fled the country. Under international law, individuals have the right not to be forcibly returned to a place where they face persecution.

International community must help North Korean defectors

Jun 5, 2013
Joint ICNK Statement: Fear for the Lives of Nine Refugees Forcibly Returned to North Korea

Jun 3, 2013
North Korea: Denial of Rights Forces Back Refugees

May 30, 2013
North Korea: Stop Crackdown on Economic ‘Crimes’

May 15, 2013

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World Report 2013: North Korea

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Reports

Denied Status, Denied Education

Children of North Korean Women in China
The US-Korea Free Trade Agreement

Annex 22-B: A Missed Opportunity on Workers’ Rights in North Korea
North Korea: Harsher Policies against Border-Crossers

North Korea

UN Sets Inquiry into North Korea Prison Camps

Jun 24, 2013

Shin Dong-hyuk is the only man born in one of North Korea’s camps for political prisoners, called kwan-li-so, who is known to have escaped. In the camp, he was forced to do back-breaking labor and went hungry for days on end. Guards tortured him, hung him from his ankles and burned him with hot coals. At age 14, he watched as his mother was hanged and his brother shot dead.
International community must help North Korean defectors

Jun 5, 2013
Joint ICNK Statement: Fear for the Lives of Nine Refugees Forcibly Returned to North Korea

Jun 3, 2013

The International Coalition to Stop Crimes against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK) is deeply concerned for the lives of nine North Korean refugees who were forcibly returned by China to North Korea.
North Korea: Denial of Rights Forces Back Refugees

May 30, 2013

North Korea should immediately reveal the whereabouts and well-being of nine North Korean refugees who were forced back to Pyongyang from Beijing on May 28 according to media reports, Human Rights Watch said today, emphasizing that the government must ensure that they are not punished for having fled the country. Under international law, individuals have the right not to be forcibly returned to a place where they face persecution.
North Korea: Stop Crackdown on Economic ‘Crimes’

May 15, 2013

The North Korean government regularly arrests, abuses, tortures, and imprisons citizens for a variety of economic “crimes”.
The Sun Rises on Human Rights

Apr 12, 2013

As U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is making waves.
UN Rights Body Forms Landmark Investigation Into North Korea

Mar 21, 2013

The United Nations Human Rights Council took a landmark step by establishing a commission of inquiry for North Korea.
UN Human Rights Council: Interactive Dialogue with Marzuki Darusman, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Mar 11, 2013
North Korea: Activists Welcome Japan’s Support for Inquiry

Feb 5, 2013

The International Coalition to Stop Crimes against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK), consisting of over 40 leading human rights organizations and activists, today welcomes Japan’s strong position in favor of the establishment of a new United Nations commission of inquiry on serious human rights violations committed by the North Korean Government at home and abroad.
North Korea: Japan’s Backing of UN Inquiry Gives Hope

Jan 25, 2013

Japan’s official decision to support the establishment of a new United Nations inquiry mechanism on human rights violations in North Korea is an important step toward the establishment of an in-depth investigation into human rights violations committed by the North Korean Government at home and abroad.

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