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February 18, 2014

U.N. Panel Finds Wide-Ranging Abuses in North Korea 
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A United Nations panel has issued a wide-ranging report accusing North
Korea of "crimes that shock the conscience of humanity." Following a
year-long investigation, U.N. investigators warned North Korean leader
Kim Jong-un he could face responsibility in the International Criminal
Court. The human rights abuses detailed by the panel include
"extermination," enslavement, sexual violence, religious persecution,
torture and the kidnapping of foreign citizens. Panel chair Michael
Kirby described the findings.

Michael Kirby: "What is unique has been the capacity of North Korea to
sail under the radar, to avoid international scrutiny, to avoid
examination of its record over such a long time, effectively 60 years of
very great wrongs against its population, wrongs against the Christian
population, wrongs against minorities, wrongs against women. These, in
their magnitude, in their gravity and in their number, are truly
exceptional."

 

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