The United Nations released a 400-page report Monday documenting alleged wide-ranging and ongoing crimes against humanity in North Korea.
The report by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea accused the state of murder, torture, imprisonment, sexual violence, religious, raical and gender persecution, the forcible transfer of populations, forced disappearances and knowingly causing prolonged starvation.
“Crimes against humanity are ongoing in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea because the policies, institutions and patterns of impunity that lie at their heart remain in place,” the report stated.
The report also called on the international community to protect North Koreans, claiming the state had failed to do so.
“There is an almost complete denial of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as of the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, information and association,” the report says.
The report said the state uses propaganda to manufacture obedience to the state and the Supreme Leader - and hatred against other states.
It is estimated that between 80,000 and 120,000 political prisoners are currently detained in four large political prison camps, where deliberate starvation has been used as a means of control and punishment. Gross violations are also being committed in the ordinary prison system, according to the commission’s findings.
Violations of the rights to food and to freedom of movement have resulted in women and girls becoming vulnerable to trafficking and forced sex work outside the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“Crimes against humanity have been, and are being, committed against starving populations. These crimes are sourced in decisions and policies violating the universal human right to food. They were taken for purposes of sustaining the present political system, in full awareness that they would exacerbate starvation and contribute to related deaths.”
The report included a letter sent by the commissioners to the North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, recommending he refer all responsible for crimes against humanity, which possibly includes himself, to the International Criminal Court.
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