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Report

This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.

February 25, 2015

Press Release

New satellite images showing the on-going development of North Korea’s two largest political prison camps.

December 4, 2013

Report

In October 2013, Amnesty International commissioned analysis of satellite images of political prison camp (kwanliso) 15 at Yodok in South Hamgyong province and kwanliso 16 at Hwaseong in North Hamgyong province. The images show that instead of heeding the growing calls for closing its political prison camps, repression by the North Korean authorities has continued and the prisoner population in kwanliso 16 appears to have slightly increased. The North Korean authorities’ on-going investment in the country’s political prison camps is part of the continuing systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights throughout the country.

December 2, 2013

Press Release

A North Korean government ministry’s latest threat of harsh punishment against people leaving the country without permission renews concerns about freedom of movement considering North Korea’s deplorable human rights record, said Amnesty International.

June 21, 2013

Report

Democratic People's Republic of Korea Head of state Kim Jong-un Head of government Choe Yong-rim Systematic human rights violations remained widespread. The food crisis persisted, with chronic and widespread malnutrition still a public health concern. Millions faced continued food insecurity and remained dependent on food aid. Despite reports that one political prison camp had closed, tens of thousands remained detained in such camps where they were subjected to sustained violations of their human rights, including extrajudicial executions, forced labour and torture and other ill-treatment. There were reports of executions, including of those purged in the leadership transition. Severe restrictions on…

May 20, 2013

Press Release

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) will hold a media roundtable to discuss new satellite imagery emerging from North Korea on Friday, March 8, 2013.

March 7, 2013

Press Release

North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' -- the official title for the centenary of founder Kim Il-sung's birth -- is an opportunity to shed light on the country's abysmal human rights record, Amnesty International said.

April 10, 2012

Press Release

A group of 21 North Koreans must not be forcibly repatriated by the Chinese government, Amnesty International said amid reports they are being held in the northeastern Chinese city of Changchun for being in the country illegally en route to South Korea.

February 14, 2012

Press Release

The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and assumption of power by his son, Kim Jong-un, present an important opportunity for improving the country’s catastrophic human rights record.

December 19, 2011

Report

Head of state: Kim Jong-il Head of government: Choe Yong-rim (replaced Kim Yong-il in June) Death penalty: retentionist Population: 24 million Life expectancy: 67.7 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 63/63 per 1,000   Widespread violations of human rights continued, including severe restrictions on freedom of association, expression and movement, arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment resulting in death, and executions. The authorities quashed dissent of any kind; the media was strictly controlled. Detainees were subjected to forced labour and dire conditions. A combination of poor economic policies and management, adverse weather conditions, and reduced international aid left millions of people without…

June 20, 2011

Press Release

Amnesty International Media ReleaseFor Immediate ReleaseTuesday, May 3, 2011Amnesty International Releases Images Revealing True Size of Political Prison Camps in North KoreaContact: AIUSA media relations office, 202-509-8194(Washington, D.C.) -- Amnesty International has published satellite imagery and new briefing of testimony and other facts that reveal the true scale of North Korea's network of political prison camps, in which some 200,000 people are held in horrific conditions.The briefing was compiled from testimony of nearly 15 former inmates and prison guards -- a majority of whom, for their own security, have decided to remain anonymous -- and other facts about the North…

May 6, 2011

Press Release

Amnesty International Media ReleaseFor Immediate ReleaseTuesday, May 3, 2011Amnesty International Releases Images Revealing True Size of Political Prison Camps in North KoreaContact: AIUSA media relations office, 202-509-8194(Washington, D.C.) -- Amnesty International has published satellite imagery and new briefing of testimony and other facts that reveal the true scale of North Korea's network of political prison camps, in which some 200,000 people are held in horrific conditions.The briefing was compiled from testimony of nearly 15 former inmates and prison guards -- a majority of whom, for their own security, have decided to remain anonymous -- and other facts about the North…

May 6, 2011