A/HRC/7/20 page 9 22. Since the implementation of the PRRO in June 2006, there are indications that WFP has conducted some 58 monitoring visits per month. Under the letter of understanding between WFP and the country on the issue, the authorities agreed that WFP staff may travel to the areas where WFP food is distributed by WFP. The issue of limited access is well known to United Nations agencies and there are steps to try to improve access. The Auditor recommends that “WFP should critically review the reliability of food monitoring statistics and continue efforts to extend field monitoring agreements to support unrestricted access wherever possible, to include translators.”13 23. In this perspective, it is important to underline the need to generate food security in the country, for which no foreign aid could be a substitute. This is very much linked with the need for a sustainable development process based on broad people’s participation in income and food generation, conservation and regeneration. The types of practical programming needed include measures to deal with pre- and post-harvest losses, conservation of watershed areas, avoidance of deforestation and overexploitation of ecologically sensitive land areas, and people’s participation in planning to benefit from agricultural development. C. Rights and freedoms: the insecurity factor? 24. Civil and political rights are severely constrained in the country due to the repression imposed by the regime, coupled with intimidation and an extensive informant system, creating insecurity among the general population. In this context, the authorities tend to divide the population into three different groups: those close to the regime (the core mass), the group in the middle (the basic mass), and those considered hostile to the regime (the complex mass).14 The first group is the ruling elite, which is well endowed with privileges, such as access to special schools and hospitals. They are allowed to own private phones and read foreign publications. The second is the majority of the population, such as farmers and workers. They are provided with food rations, although dwindling in recent years due to the Government’s experimentation with the market economy and a reduction in the State-sponsored public distribution system. The third group is considered to be the enemies of the State and is persecuted accordingly. They include the landed class before the communist takeover of the country, public officials under Japanese rule, religious groups, and those who assisted South Korean forces during the Korean war (1950-1953). They are denied access to college education and are discriminated against in their access to basic necessities such as housing, medical care and education. Many land up in the appalling prisons referred to below. When people are punished for political reasons, there is also the use of collective punishment or guilt by association against families. 25. Political participation in the democratic sense is non-existent, with the ruling party dominating completely. There is rigid control over the media, and people are not allowed to own mobile phones and computers without permission from the authorities. There are also reports of a crackdown on cellphones.15 Yet, some inhabitants watch clandestinely video and TV 13 Ibid., para. 49. 14 White Paper 2007 ... (see note 9 above), p. 119. 15 White Paper 2007 ... (see note 9 above), p. xviii.