New USCIRF Study Exposes Firsthand Human Rights Abuses in N. Korea

The USCIRF released a study attesting to the severe human rights violation in North Korea and concluding that ''there is no respect for religious freedom by the North Korea authorities.''

By Lillian Kwon, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, November 16, 2005

WASHINGTON - The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom on Tuesday released a study attesting to the severe human rights violation in North Korea. Entitled Thank you, Father Kim Il Sung – a phrase children are taught "from cradle to grave" – the Commission's study is the first of its kind by a U.S. government agency with eye witness accounts and former North Koreans revealing conditions that are "worse than anyone could make up," according to a statement by Congressman Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ).

A week after exposing the narrowing freedoms in China in a released report, Policy Focus on China, the Commission compiled an extensive study, led by David Hawk, author of The Hidden Gulag: Exposing North Korea's Prison Camps, on the totalitarian regime of North Korea concluding that "there is no respect for religious freedom by the North Korea authorities."

"North Korea's human rights abuses are a nightmare of epic proportions," said Smith. "Inside North Korea, there is no genuine freedom of speech, religion, or assembly."

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The report presents accounts of freedom violations from first hand day-to-day accounts of eyewitnesses who described scenes of public execution of Christian believers. For the study, 40 former North Koreans were interviewed, nearly all of whom said they had never experienced, seen or known of any authorized religious activity by North Koreans.

While concrete evidence remains difficult to obtain, USCIRF Chair Michael Cromartie said, "This study allows the voices of former North Koreans to speak openly about conditions in North Korea."

Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) quoted one of the interviewees – a North Korean refugee – saying, "Having faith in God is an act of espionage. Kim Il Sung is God in North Korea."

"The pictures, the stories, the desperation that marks life in North Korea is heart-wrenching and is only beginning to be known to its full extent after years of secrecy," said Wolf on Tuesday.

North Korea was re-designated as a "Country of Particular Concern" in the U.S. Department of State’s recently released International Religious Freedom Report for showing no progress in the aspect of religious freedom.

The report comes at a time when President George W. Bush, on tour in Asia, is visiting with presidents of China and South Korea along with most leaders of countries involved in six-party talks. Congressmen and the USCIRF say the human rights issue should not be put aside at this key time.

"We're hopeful this issue will be brought" to the international agenda, said Hawk.

Hawk noted that only 0.2 percent of the North Korean population engages in religious activity. He cited 512 house churches and an unknown number of underground worship centers.

Although the numerous testimonies of abuse and restricted freedom are being increasingly documented, Hawk said the human rights issue in North Korea is still not at the stage of "remedy."

"We are making progress in getting it on the [international] agenda, but it's still not on the agenda enough ... for remedy," he said.

The USCIRF concluded the report with a list of recommendations for the U.S. government to help halt the severe violations of the universal freedom that is granted to everyone.

"Thank you, Father Kim Il Sung illustrates the need for concerted action to address the widespread denial of basic human rights in North Korea and to seek durable solutions for North Koreans seeking refuge in China," said Cromartie.