A/HRC/10/18 page 10 C. Freedoms 27. Basic freedoms associated with human rights and democracy, such as the freedom to choose one’s Government, freedom of association, freedom of expression, freedom of information, privacy and freedom of religion are infringed on a daily basis by the nature and practices of the regime. 28. Political dissent is heavily punished and has an intergenerational impact; where the parents are seen as antithetical to the regime, the child and the rest of the family are also discriminated against in their access to school, hospitals and other necessities. There are no genuine trade unions, apart from those that prop up the regime. 29. On a related front, the media are heavily controlled and censored, forming the backbone of a gigantuan propaganda machine. Books from China and the Republic of Korea are also prohibited; indeed, the reading of books from the latter country is punishable as a crime of espionage.10 There is extensive wiretapping of telephones; according to information received in 2008, the authorities have imposed restrictions on long-distance calls to block the spreading of news concerning the current food shortage. 30. Unless one belongs to the elite, it is forbidden to own computers and mobile phones, to use the Internet without official permission, and to watch foreign videos. Information received suggests that the authorities try to limit the use of fibre-optic cable telephones.10 There are reports of official clamp-downs on mobile phones and CDs, and there are surveillance teams of inspectors who raid homes to see whether families are illegally watching or listening to foreign films and radio or television programmes. These raids are particularly intense near the border with neighbouring countries. Radios and television sets are pretuned to Government channels and there are punishments against those who disobey, although leniency may come from the inspectors at a price; bribery and corruption is rife in the country. 31. Although punishments for disobedience are severe,10 an increasing number of people reportedly watch foreign programmes and have mobile phones. There is also a spread of USB and mobile hard disk technology, suggesting that there is clandestine access to computers. The rigidity imposed by the regime in the pursuit of social proscriptions versus individual self-expression is seen at its extreme in the ban on the wearing of jeans. 32. Given the extensive intelligence and informant system in the country, the right to privacy is continually infringed by the State apparatus. Neighbourhood groups are also used as an instrument of social control and surveillance, creating a system of fear and mistrust, with multiple layers of surveillance.10 33. There appear to be outward signs of religious practice, such as construction of church buildings. The following sites have been reported: 2,500 Christian family service sites; 12 Catholic assembly sites; 60 Buddhist temples; and 80 Chundokyo secret prayer sites.10 Some religious ceremonies seem to be allowed. The claim by authorities that freedom of religion is enjoyed in the country is contradicted by the evidence available. It has been reported that religious sites are limited to Pyongyang, and local citizens are still barred from using the