50,000 Christians imprisoned in North Korea

Over 50,000 Christians are being held in prison in North Korea because of their faith, according to a recent report by a Christian charity. With their human rights trampled and freedom of religion denied, they are victims of Juche, the state ideology developed in the 1950s by Kim Il-Sung, the only system of belief permitted in the reclusive communist nation. This is the picture of the situation in North Korea according to the latest report by "Open Doors", a non-governmental organization that serves persecuted Christians worldwide. The serious situation of fundamental rights has been confirmed by Marzuki Darusman, the new United Nations special observer for Human Rights in North Korea. He told the UN Council for Human Rights in Geneva that the judiciary system lacks independence and does not respect any procedural guarantee for the accused, so the state can exercise more control over citizens. All Koreans or foreigners who are condemned under these trials, are sent to prison camps where they are regularly subjected to torture and cruel and inhuman treatment. Political dissenters and their families, often held for life, suffer hunger and forced labour. According to the testimonies of people who escaped from the country, the regime continues an intense anti-religious propaganda, prohibits religious activities and prosecutes those involved in religious activities, including private activities. Despite the difficult situation, it is estimated that the Christians in Korea are currently about 400 thousand (2% of the population) who practice their faith in secret.