Amnesty International have released their annual report for 2013. In the section on North Korea, Amnesty finds that "Systematic human rights violations remained widespread." The report is a summary of the human rights situation of the past year in the country.

 

The food crisis, although somewhat abated by improved harvests, continues. Amnesty's report states, "Chronic malnutrition continued to plague most people, with several reportedly dying of starvation."

 

The report draws attention to two high-profile cases of arbitrary arrest and detention: Kenneth Bae and Shin Sook-ja. It outlines the reasons for their detention and a response from the regime on the whereabouts of Shin Sook-ja.

 

The report states that North Korea places harsh restrictions on freedom: "The authorities continued to impose severe restrictions on freedoms of __EXPRESSION__, opinion and assembly."

 

In summary, Amnesty wrote that, "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 the rights to freedom of __EXPRESSION__, association, opinion and assembly persisted. The media remained under strict control."