homeWorld

Religious freedom violations in North Korea among worst in the world - report

Advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has released a report slamming the religious freedom violations taking place in North Korea, concluding that the violations in the isolated regime "are among the very worst in the world."

North Koreans bowing in front of statues of Kim Il-sung (left) and Kim Jong-il | Wikimedia Commons/J.A. de Roo

CSW notes in the report that freedom of religion in North Korea is "largely non-existent." Christians in North Korea are secretive about their faith and those who are discovered are likely sent to prison camps called "kwalinso."

The report lists a number of human rights violations against Christians in the camps including extra-judicial killing, forced labor, torture, forced relocation, rape and other inhumane acts. Other documented incidents include Christians "being hung on a cross over a fire, crushed under a steamroller, herded off bridges, and trampled underfoot."

CSW acknowledges that since the release of a U.N. Commission of Inquiry (COI) report in 2014, the situation in North Korea has moved up in the agenda of the U.N. However, Special Rapporteur Marzuki Darusman reported in January 2016 that human rights violations still occur.

The organization notes that the information in the report comes from secondary sources because on-site research is not possible. However, CSW maintains that the cited sources are highly credible. Some of the information was taken from "governmental organizations, international and national civil society organisations, academic papers and media articles."

The Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) lists only five Christian churches in Pyongyang. The North Korean regime has claimed that there are about 500 unofficial churches in the city but this figure has not been verified.

North Korean escapees suggest that the churches are only used as propaganda sites for tourism and foreign exchange. The NKDB believes the regime uses religious organizations within the country to build up its image with foreign religious organizations.

The Open Doors World Watch List ranks North Korea as the most dangerous place for Christians. The regime has maintained its rank in the list for 14 consecutive years. The organization labeled the source of persecution as "dictatorial paranoia."