[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 URGING PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION ADDRESSING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN NORTH 
   KOREA AT 59TH SESSION OF UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 109.
  North Korea has been in the news lately for a number of reasons. In 
recent months, it has expelled U.N. monitors, withdrawn from the 
Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and restarted a nuclear reactor.
  In addition, North Korea may have the worst human-rights record in 
Asia. The regime prohibits freedom of speech, religion, the press, 
assembly, association, citizens' movements and workers' rights. There 
are an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 political prisoners in work camps. 
Accounts by refugees and defectors indicate that inmates are subject to 
forced labor, beatings, torture and executions.
  The United Nations Commission on Human Rights convened in Geneva this 
week and is scheduled to be in session until April 25th. This year one 
of its most challenging issues will be to determine whether to hold 
North Korea accountable for its poor human rights records.
  I strongly support H. Res. 109, which urges the Commission to pass a 
resolution addressing human rights abuses in North Korea, and calls on 
the government of North Korea to respect and protect the human rights 
of its citizens. if passed by the Commission, it would be a critical 
first step by member states of the United Nations in demonstrating a 
multi-national commitment to human rights.
  In 1981, North Korea ratified two treaties, the International 
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant 
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. By ratifying these treaties, 
North Korea officially affirmed its commitment to internationally 
recognized human rights and standards. Although no single diplomatic 
initiative can begin to resolve North Korea's human rights abuses, this 
Resolution would be an important first step in bringing this issue to 
the world's attention.
  In closing, I would like to remind my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle, that on February 11, 2002, we passed, by an overwhelming vote of 
402 to 6, a Resolution condemning the selection of Libya to chair the 
United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
  Libya has failed to demonstrate that it does not support 
international terrorism. It has also failed to demonstrate that it has 
abandoned its quest for weapons of mass destruction. To reward these 
failures with an important and prestigious appointment makes a mockery 
of what this Commission stands for.
  That being said, if the Commission manages to persuade North Korea to 
open itself up to visits by U.N. human rights experts and other 
international observers, this would be a significant accomplishment. I 
urge all members of the United Nations to work towards this goal and 
urge my colleagues to support this Resolution.

                          ____________________