15/02/2016
AL
Case No
Country
Mandate(s)
PRK 1/2016
Democratic
People's
Republic of
Korea
DPR Korea;
Summary of the allegation transmitted
Allegations of restrictions to the right of freedom of movement in relation to an
extradition treaty signed between the Russian Federation and the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). According to the information received, in
November 2015, the Russian Federation and DPRK signed an extradition treaty,
calling for mutual assistance in criminal matters. On 2 February 2016, DPRK and
the Russian Federation reportedly signed another treaty that calls for “transferring
and readmitting individuals who have illegally left and are illegally present” on the
territory of either country. The treaty aims to reduce the number of illegal migrants
present in both countries, which reportedly relates to an established practice where
DPRK sends its workers to work at logging and/or construction sites in the Russian
Federation where they are subjected to severe working conditions and limitations
of their basic rights, including freedom of movement. Some workers have
reportedly sought asylum outside the DPRK, including in the Russian Federation,
fearing persecution for deserting official employment, including torture, should
they return to their country. A related communication was sent to the Government
of the Russian Federation on 15 February 2016, see below, case no. RUS 1/2016.
Reply
A/HRC/32/53
74
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