By: Ahmed Fathi
New York: Under the rule of Kim Jong-Un, North Korea continues to rank among the most repressive regimes in the world. The Kim family’s political dynasty, which has held power for over seven decades, has severely restricted all basic freedoms. Multiple United Nations Commission of Inquiry found that human rights abuses in North Korea were unparalleled in the contemporary world. The documented atrocities include extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions, and other forms of sexual violence.
Secretive prison camps, often referred to as Kyohwaso, are central to the North Korean government’s mechanism of control. Human Rights Watch reports that these camps house between 80,000 to 120,000 prisoners, many of whom are perceived as opponents of the regime. Inside these camps, detainees face severe torture, inhumane living conditions, starvation, and forced labor. The threat of collective punishment, wherein family members of accused individuals are also punished, ensures a pervasive climate of fear that stifles dissent.
The government’s stranglehold extends to all aspects of life, with no independent media, functioning civil society, or religious freedom. The state’s control over information is near absolute, with citizens unable to access foreign media or express dissenting opinions without fear of severe repercussions.
The widespread and systematic nature of these abuses clearly violates the civil rights of North Korean citizens. According to Dictionary.com, civil rights are defined as the protections against infringement by governments on individuals' freedoms. North Korea’s ongoing actions starkly contravene these principles, as the regime persistently infringes on the human rights of its people.
The international community continues to condemn North Korea’s human rights record, but tangible change remains elusive. As Kim Jong-Un consolidates his power, the plight of ordinary North Koreans remains dire, trapped in a system that prioritizes the regime's survival over the welfare and rights of its citizens.
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