Examples Of Human Rights Violations In North Korea

Lord Acton)
Human rights, by definition, are the rights that are inalienable to all human beings. They can be neither created nor taken away by any form of government. These rights are not to be taken away, regardless of how atrocious one act. The violation of basic human rights is to withhold the most fundamental freedoms and moral entitlements. In other words, to treat people as if they are less than human and do not deserve dignity or respect. Crimes against humanity such as, torture, slavery, genocide, medical experimentation, deliberate starvation, and rape are all examples of violations of human rights. Unfortunately, these policies are sometimes enforced by governments which limit the unrestrained power of the states. For this reason,
international law must prohibit these various crimes and uphold the policies of nondiscrimination as well as the idea that certain basic rights to all individuals must apply.
North Korea has a communist government that is led by a totalitarian leader, Kim Jung-Un.
The citizens of North Korea have strict laws which they must abide by. The government there does not tolerate illegal crossing of the border to China, whatsoever. After Kim Jung-Un took power, the government issued a shoot-on-sight order to the border guards for people crossing illegally. Jung-Un has been on the watch for guards who let other pass illegally. They cross into China looking for a way to get back to South Korea. The border between South and North Korea is so heavily guarded, that it makes crossing it virtually impossible. So instead, they travel cross into China, where they then go to Thailand and are shipped to the Southern border of South Korea. The people go through all of this just to escape the tyranny in North Korea. North Korea restricts any form of religion, opinion, or expression. Those who choose to defy these strict government policies are considered disloyal to the
dictator. North Korean refugees who escaped North Korea reported that people who were arrested were often tortured by guards looking for confessions and/or other bribes. Forms of torture included beatings, sleep deprivation, and forced standing/sitting for long periods of time. Also, any women who were imprisoned were often raped. In December of 2007, the North Korean government extended the death penalty to non-violent crimes. This amendment includes offenses such as fraud/smuggling, under the condition that the authorities determine that the crime is “extremely serious.” It has been reported that North Korea facilitates political prison camps throughout the country. The prisoners of these camps are usually those who have committed some type of political offense. In these camps, there is no medical care and a lack of proper living conditions. The prisoners are forced to perform difficult labor tasks such as agricultural work and mining. The death rates in these camps are rather high. Although North Korea has never recognized that these camps exist, South Korea and America have estimated that 80,000-120,000 people are currently imprisoned in such camps. The United States system of justice allows individuals who are accused of a crime certain protections according to the constitution.
The sixth amendment guarantees public trials in criminal cases. It also gives a person that is accused of a crime, the right to be tried by a jury unless it carries a sentence that is less than six months. One of the most essential protections, in the trial process if that the prosecution most prove guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt. Other rights which defendants have the right to: remain silent, confront witnesses, have a speedy trial, be represented by an attorney, receive adequate representation, and to not be tried twice for the same offense. The United States Constitution established America's national government and fundamental laws and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. The document consists of three branches of government. The legislative branch, the executive branch and the judicial branch, as well as a system of checks and balances ensure that no single branch would have too much power. It also includes amendments which are improvements, corrections or revisions that have been made since the original document was written. In all, 27 new amendments have been adopted, six have not been approved and thousands have been introduced and up for discussion. The first 10 amendments are called "The Bill of Rights", which place limits on the powers of the federal government. They include protection for the most basic human rights
of an individual such as: freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly and to petition the government. Also included is the right for people to bear arms and maintain a militia. Amendments 3 and 4 protect from quartering troops, as well as protection from unreasonable search and seizure. Also included in the Bill of Rights are due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, the right to private property, trial by jury, and other rights for those accused. Amendments 7-10 include a civil trial by jury, prohibiting excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment, protection of other rights not specifically stated in the Bill of Rights and powers that are held by the states and by the people. Amendments 11-27 are a further extension of the bill of rights, involving rights for many different groups and entities such as prohibition, women's suffrage, election processes, voting age and rights, Presidential terms and succession, taxes, racial segregation, slavery and civil rights. The constitution has proven itself over the past two centuries. It has become a model for other countries to follow, and has provided an example for maintaining the basic rights of individuals as well as their civil liberties in national constitutions throughout the world. The constitution and its amendments has allowed for a citizen to have the freedom to exercise their customary rights, and only be subject to laws that have been established with regard to freedom of speech or action that are for the good of the community. The constitution has provided protection for United States citizens against infringement of their basic human rights, including the rights of children, women, immigrants, the disabled, and for prisoner's including the death penalty. It has provided norms for racial justice, criminal justice, criminal law reform and national security. It has set the standards and prevented discrimination against gender, age, race, ethnicity, mental and physical illness and censorship. It has withstood the test of time by proving to be adaptable and allows for democracy to continue existing through its proposal and ratification process. Stopping countries such as North Korea from abusing their power is essential for the citizens. We being one of the most powerful countries with the most powerful army should liberate the people and turn over a new leaf for their country. Sitting back and watching millions of people tortured and abused and just turning a blind eye is not acceptable. Action must be taken in order for the people to have a real chance at life. China, for example, is a country that has very poor human rights, yet we continue to do business with them. The United States government is well aware of the violations that occur in China, but do little to nothing to break their cycle of abusing. Although they are a major producer of most of our consumer goods, something should be done to put a stop to this barbaric behavior.