Mr. Speaker, the next petition I would like to table highlights and raises concern about human rights abuses in North Korea.
The petitioners identify a number of aspects of this worsening human rights situation: the prioritization of food distribution to those considered useful to the existing regime; the vast security apparatus that suppresses dissent through coercion, surveillance, fear and punishment; the public executions; and the state-sponsored abductions of citizens of other nations. The petitioners further draw attention to human rights abuses involved in the rendition of North Korean refugees from the People's Republic of China, despite the human rights abuses they are subject to.
The petitioners call on the House to take action on this. They want to see the government table regular reports in the House on the human rights situation in North Korea, including to highlight a number of prison camps, like Kwan-li-so and Kyo-hwa-so, which they would like us to pay particular attention to.
The petitioners want the government to advocate for North Korean defectors and refugees so their rights are protected and so they are allowed safe passage to South Korea, where they will be able to live and be recognized as citizens. They want us to promote human rights in North Korea and engage internationally and work collaboratively with other countries and bodies to promote political freedoms for the people of North Korea.
I commend this petition to members for their consideration.