Move for Change
By: Eleanor Bemis
In North Korea the government uses fear generated by forced labor and public executions to prevent ideas of opposing the government from spreading. The government imposes harsh restrictions on freedom of information to travel.This means that citizens are unable to travel to other countries. This is one of the many ways the government keeps the citizens of North Korea from finding out about the rest of the world. Additionally, according to the South Korean Ministry of Unification it was estimated that about 80,000 South Koreans were taken to North Korea during the Korean War. This problem is still going on, as of December 2010 it has been estimated that 600 POWs (prisoners of war) were still alive and 468 South Korean abductees still lived in the North. North Korea has not released any other information about this topic as of 2010.
This incident has become one of many involving North Korea violating article 13. Article 13 states that everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state and that everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and return to his country. Essentially, being a citizen in North Korea could compare to being imprisoned in your own country. Aside from other issues, the government enforces loyalty and obedience through its Ministry of People’s Security, this enforces citizens to spy on each other to keep their loyalty to the government. North Korea also imposes strict migration controls on the entries and exits of foreigners and its citizens. This means that North Korea is violating Article 13(2) of the UN human rights.
Even though North Korea’s violation of Article 13 doesn’t impact us directly,the punishments involving torture could affect anyone.The punishments for any individuals who are caught emigrating or helping others to cross the borders illegally involve torture camps known as kwan-il-so, in these camps rates of torture and death are notoriously high.
One of the most efficient ways that we can help is by using our voice. Communicating and advocating through social media sites such as twitter, instagram and facebook are all ways that we are able to raise awareness about these human rights violations. Another way that we can help is by supporting the relief efforts made by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. For instance, the UN can insist on inspections in North Korea, more inspections could result in the UN insisting on the government releasing citizens from the prison camps. This could also result in the UN stopping the restrictions on immigration.
The citizens of North Korea have been mislead, tortured and face extreme hardships every single day. As citizens, it is our job to raise awareness and help the citizens of North Korea. Imagine if someone you loved had to face these violations every single day, what would you do?
By: Eleanor Bemis
In North Korea the government uses fear generated by forced labor and public executions to prevent ideas of opposing the government from spreading. The government imposes harsh restrictions on freedom of information to travel.This means that citizens are unable to travel to other countries. This is one of the many ways the government keeps the citizens of North Korea from finding out about the rest of the world. Additionally, according to the South Korean Ministry of Unification it was estimated that about 80,000 South Koreans were taken to North Korea during the Korean War. This problem is still going on, as of December 2010 it has been estimated that 600 POWs (prisoners of war) were still alive and 468 South Korean abductees still lived in the North. North Korea has not released any other information about this topic as of 2010.
This incident has become one of many involving North Korea violating article 13. Article 13 states that everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state and that everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and return to his country. Essentially, being a citizen in North Korea could compare to being imprisoned in your own country. Aside from other issues, the government enforces loyalty and obedience through its Ministry of People’s Security, this enforces citizens to spy on each other to keep their loyalty to the government. North Korea also imposes strict migration controls on the entries and exits of foreigners and its citizens. This means that North Korea is violating Article 13(2) of the UN human rights.
Even though North Korea’s violation of Article 13 doesn’t impact us directly,the punishments involving torture could affect anyone.The punishments for any individuals who are caught emigrating or helping others to cross the borders illegally involve torture camps known as kwan-il-so, in these camps rates of torture and death are notoriously high.
One of the most efficient ways that we can help is by using our voice. Communicating and advocating through social media sites such as twitter, instagram and facebook are all ways that we are able to raise awareness about these human rights violations. Another way that we can help is by supporting the relief efforts made by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. For instance, the UN can insist on inspections in North Korea, more inspections could result in the UN insisting on the government releasing citizens from the prison camps. This could also result in the UN stopping the restrictions on immigration.
The citizens of North Korea have been mislead, tortured and face extreme hardships every single day. As citizens, it is our job to raise awareness and help the citizens of North Korea. Imagine if someone you loved had to face these violations every single day, what would you do?