wr2014_web_0

ASIANorth KoreaThere has been no discernible improvement in human rights in the DemocraticPeople’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) since Kim Jong-Un assumedpower after his father’s death in 2011. The government continues to imposetotalitarian rule. In response to the systematic denial of basic freedoms in thecountry, the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously established acommission of inquiry in April 2013 to investigate whether such abuses amountto crimes against humanity and who should be held accountable.Although North Korea has ratified four key international human rights treatiesand technically possesses a constitution with some rights protections, in realitythe government represses all forms of freedom of expression and opinion anddoes not allow any organized political opposition, independent media, freetrade unions, civil society organizations, or religious freedom. Those whoattempt to assert rights, fail to demonstrate sufficient reverence for the partyand its leadership, or otherwise act in ways deemed contrary to state interestsface arbitrary arrest, detention, lack of due process, and torture and ill-treatment.The government also practices collective punishment for supposed antistateoffenses, effectively enslaving hundreds of thousands of citizens, includingchildren, in prison camps and other detention facilities with deplorable conditionsand forced labor.Torture and Inhumane TreatmentNorth Korean refugees living in exile—some of whom fled after Kim Jong-Untook power—told Human Rights Watch that people arrested in North Korea areroutinely tortured by officials seeking confessions, bribes, and obedience.Common forms of torture include sleep deprivation, beatings with iron rods orsticks, kicking and slapping, and enforced sitting or standing for hours. Guardsalso sexually abuse female detainees.ExecutionsNorth Korea’s criminal code stipulates that the death penalty can be applied forvaguely defined offenses such as “crimes against the state” and “crimesagainst the people.” A December 2007 amendment to the penal code extended361