Independent United Nations-appointed expert Tomas Quintana, report that the situation was made worse by COVID-19 precautionary measures, exacerbating a suspected humanitarian crisis.
More than 10 million people – more than 40% of the country – are also food insecure and less than 3 out of 10 children receive a minimally acceptable diet, Mr. Quintana said.
The draconian measures have further strengthened the State’s control over the population, such as the policy of shooting individuals who try to enter or leave the country, the expert said. to buffer zones established on the borders with China and Russia. .
Punishment culture
Mr. Quintana, whose official title is Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in North Koreatold the Geneva forum that the new law was introduced in December 2020 in an attempt to keep Coronavirus in the bay, authorized “completely disproportionate penalties – including the death penalty – for accessing prohibited information, especially foreign content”.
This warning follows concerns raised by the Special Rapporteur about the country’s “coercive governance system” that deprives people of basic freedoms.
“The situation did not improve during my assignment,” he said. “On the contrary, population control has been tightened further, especially since the beginning of 2020 in the context of COVID-19 prevention measures. The Prolonged border closures and restrictions on domestic movement have adversely affected market activity it has become essential for the general population to access basic necessities. ”
Although currently Dong Nhan Quyen AssociationThe North Korean representative declined to respond to the allegations.
Freedom is sacrificed
Listing some of the abuses faced by the people of the country, Mr. Quitana highlighted arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and ill-treatment, restricting freedom of speech, religion and thoughtaccess to information, freedom of movement and forced labor.
The camps for political prisoners – known as kwanliso – “represent the worst excesses” of North Korea’s population control, who fear arbitrary detention and ill-treatment in the country. remote locations, the human rights expert continued.
Noting that in 2021, Chairman Kim Jong UN acknowledged that the country faced some of the worst difficulties ever, Mr. Quintana explained that there had been no reform of the system. public distribution to provide adequate and nutritious food to the most vulnerable populations.
The Special Rapporteur emphasized that the solution is to interact more with the international community.
“Very necessary reopening borders could resume trade with China would bring better conditions for ordinary North Koreans and their livelihoods, “I said. “Rather than restricting private coping mechanisms, the Government should support and encourage these economic and social developments.”
