INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE’S draconian restrictions were imposed, RIGHTS ostensibly to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In October, the governor of Borno state The country did not participate in the announced a plan to close all IDP camps by Olympic Games in Japan due to the 31 December. During the year, some IDP pandemic. camps in Maiduguri were forcefully closed Despite ongoing strict economic sanctions and internally displaced people were and UN prohibitions, North Korea continued resettled in areas that continued to suffer to test missiles, firing a long-range cruise attacks from Boko Haram. missile in September and submarine- DEATH PENALTY launched ballistic missiles in October. Relations with South Korea remained tense. Courts continued to issue death sentences; Serious flooding in South Hamgyong no executions were carried out. In February province in August and unusually high the Jigawa state governor signed into law a temperatures in July compounded an already bill allowing death sentences to be handed precarious food security situation. down for rape cases. The newly passed Malnutrition remained a concern. Taraba state law on Violence and FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT Discrimination Against Persons included a provision imposing the death penalty for the North Korea remained effectively sealed off rape of a child. from the outside world throughout 2021, the In July, the minister of the interior called on second consecutive year in which the state governors to sign the death warrants of government closed borders to prevent the the 3,008 prisoners awaiting execution, as spread of Covid-19. The train service part of measures to reduce prison between North Korea and China was populations nationwide. suspended both for passengers and freight. Security on North Korea’s long land border with China remained tight. An order allowing NORTH KOREA security forces to “unconditionally” shoot anyone attempting to cross the border without authorization remained in effect. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Head of state: Kim Jong-un By the end of the year, at least 63 North Head of government: Kim Tok-hun Koreans (23 women, 40 men) had defected to South Korea, the lowest number since Freedom of movement, both internationally 2003 when official records were first made and domestically, was almost completely public. curtailed by the government’s response to Domestic travel became increasingly the Covid-19 pandemic. Widespread difficult due to Covid-19; in addition to pre- shortages of medicine and food negatively existing restrictions, special permits were affected the right to health. Other required for travelling between provinces. fundamental rights, including freedom of RIGHT TO HEALTH expression, remained severely limited. The government increased its participation in Regular statistics provided by the government international forums by sending to the WHO indicated that there were no representatives to global events, particularly Covid-19 infections and no deaths during the those concerning economic, social and year. However, this was contradicted by cultural rights. unofficial sources who reported high BACKGROUND numbers of infections and deaths, and cremations taking place before the cause of North Korea remained effectively cut off from death could be determined. The true the rest of the world after ever more situation remained unclear. Amnesty International Report 2021/22 280