The U.S.
welcomes a recent report by the U.S.
Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent
organization mandated by Congress to submit an annual report. The commission's
2008 report recommends that North Korea keep its U.S. State Department
designation as a Country of Particular Concern for its systematic and severe
violations of religious freedom. North Korea has been named a Country of
Particular Concern by the State Department every year since 1999.
The
Commission reports that refugee testimony provides evidence that North Koreans
continue to face a well-founded fear of persecution if repatriated from China.
The State Department's 2007 International Religious Freedom Report notes that
"NGOs, defectors, and refugees have reported that the Government executed
opponents of the regime in recent years.
Executed
individuals reportedly included some targeted for religious activities such as
proselytism and contact with foreigners or missionaries while in China."
Refugee testimony confirms that repatriated North Korean refugees suffer harsh
interrogation, torture, and prolonged detention, if it is discovered that they
have either converted to Christianity while in China or had contact with South
Koreans -- both of which are considered to be political offenses.
In an effort
to supplant genuine religious belief, the North Korean government continues to
promote a cult of personality around the ruling Kim family. Enthusiastic
veneration of President Kim Jong-il and his father can advance careers and
ensure access to daily necessities.
The State
Department's International Religious Freedom report states that "refusal
on religious or other grounds to accept the leader as the supreme authority,
exemplifying the state and society's needs, was regarded as opposition to the
national interest and sometimes resulted in severe punishment." Punishment
may involve the imprisonment of up to three generations of one's family in the
notorious political prison labor camps.
The United
States remains concerned about the grave human rights abuses in North Korea,
especially the denial of religious freedom. The U.S. stands with the North
Korean people in their call for freedom. "We believe," said President
George Bush, "it is every person's basic right to live in freedom and
dignity. We will continue to support the North Korean people as they strive to
achieve the rights and freedoms to which they are entitled as human
beings."
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