Otto Warmbier (RIP)

For John, BLUF:  The passing of Mr Warbbier is tragic.  The human rights situation in North Korea is a human disaster.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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HRNK Statement on the Passing of Otto Warmbier

HRNK is the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea.

Otto Warmbier, a 22 year old Ohio native and University of Virgina student, has passed away from injuries suffered while detained on fabricated charges in North Korea. This is a shocking and sad development. A beloved son was taken away from the Warmbier family. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers. The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) is saddened by this tragedy.

The Kim regime imprisoned and killed Otto Warmbier. Millions of unknown North Koreans are similarly subjected to the brutality of this regime. More than a hundred thousand men, women and children are being tortured, starved, and abused in North Korea's political prison camps. This continuing outrage is what motivates HRNK to do what the Kim regime fears the most: discover and disclose the truth about the regime's crimes. To honor Otto Warmbier's life and memory, we will continue to strive to inform, persuade and inspire political leaders to confront this terrible challenge to global security and to human values.

We urge our political leaders to reach across the aisle and foster bipartisan support for the millions of faceless, nameless North Korean victims, by elevating the importance of addressing the human rights situation in that country.

Here are ten practical things the US can do to advance human rights in North Korea.

Regards  —  Cliff