Senate passes North Korean Human Rights Act

By Tom Strode - Sep 30, 2004 - comment

The Senate approved by unanimous consent Sept. 28 a bill to promote human rights in North Korea.

North Korea is one of eight regimes labeled by the Department of State as “countries of particular concern,” a designation reserved for the most severe violators of religious liberty. The communist dictatorship is highly repressive of other human rights as well.

The North Korean Human Rights Act, H.R. 4011, would authorize the President to provide funds for nonprofit groups in order to advance human rights and democracy in the country. It also provides authority for the President to assist the World Food Program and U.S. nongovernmental organizations in distributing humanitarian assistance in North Korea. In recent years, many North Koreans have been the victims of malnourishment and starvation.

The legislation, however, requires verification the aid will be used for humanitarian, not political, purposes. There have been widespread reports the North Korean government has prevented humanitarian assistance from reaching citizens who need it.

The bill also expresses Congress’ belief the United States should make human rights a crucial factor in negotiations with North Korea and should increase funding for radio broadcasting to that country.

In approving the bill, the Senate amended the version passed by the House of Representatives July 21.

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Learn more about: Citizenship, Human Rights, Legislation

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