Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) welcomes the report of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on human rights in North Korea, released today, and the inquiry\u2019s conclusion that the regime in North Korea is committing crimes against humanity. CSW urges the UN Security Council to act on the inquiry\u2019s recommendation to refer the human rights crisis in North Korea to the International Criminal Court.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Commission of Inquiry, established by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2013 and chaired by Australian Justice Michael Kirby, concludes that \u201cthe gravity, scale and nature\u201d of the violations of human rights in North Korea \u201creveal a State that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world\u201d. The 400-page report details crimes against humanity including \u201cextermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence, persecution on political, religious, racial and gender grounds, the forcible transfer of populations, the enforced disappearance of persons and the inhumane act of knowingly causing prolonged starvation\u201d. It concludes that such crimes against humanity are continuing \u201cbecause the policies, institutions and patterns of impunity that lie at their heart remain in place\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inquiry also notes that \u201cthere is an almost complete denial of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, information and association\u201d. It concludes that the regime \u201cconsiders the spread of Christianity a particularly severe threat\u201d and as a result, \u201cChristians are prohibited from practising their religion and are persecuted\u201d. Severe punishments are inflicted on \u201cpeople caught practising Christianity\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report estimates that between 80,000 and 120,000 political prisoners are currently detained in four political prison camps, \u201cwhere deliberate starvation has been used as a means of control and punishment\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In its detailed recommendations, the Commission of Inquiry recommends targeted sanctions against the perpetrators of crimes against humanity, an extension of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in North Korea, and the establishment of a UN-mandated structure and database \u201cto help to ensure accountability for human rights violations\u201d building on \u201cthe collection of evidence and documentation work of the commission\u201d. It also calls on China to respect the principle of non-refoulement and end its practice of forcibly repatriating North Korean refugees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CSW\u2019s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: \u201cIn 2007, CSW published a report, North Korea: A Case to Answer, A Call to Act, which recommended the establishment of an international inquiry with a view to referring a case to the International Criminal Court. Today, after seven years of sustained advocacy, that day has come. We pay tribute to the extraordinary work of Justice Michael Kirby and his two fellow commissioners, and we welcome the publication of what is without doubt the most comprehensive, detailed and authoritative documentation of North Korea\u2019s appalling human rights violations. But our work is far from over ” indeed it is only just beginning. The UN and all member states now have a responsibility to act upon the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, and ensure that this report does not sit on a shelf but serves as a plan of action to end the suffering of the North Korean people and hold the perpetrators of crimes against humanity to account. The world\u2019s worst human rights crisis, in the world\u2019s most closed nation, can no longer be its most forgotten. From this day on, no one can claim they did not know. The world now knows, and it is now time to act.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 \/ +44 (0)78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk<\/a> or visit www.csw.org.uk<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. CSW is a founder member of the International Coalition to Stop Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK), see www.stopnkcrimes.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. CSW\u2019s report, Korea: A Case to Answer, A Call to Act, is available aqu\u00ed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. The UN Commission of Inquiry report on North Korea is available aqu\u00ed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNotes to Editors:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n