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Bush Appoints Special Envoy on Human Rights in North Korea

19 August 2005

Jay Lefkowitz will engage North Korea, work with international organizations

By Todd Bullock
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- President Bush has appointed Jay Lefkowitz as the U.S. special envoy for human rights in North Korea, the White House said in an announcement released August 19.

Lefkowitz, an attorney, served as deputy assistant to the president and director of the Domestic Policy Council at the White House.  He has been a public member of the U.S. delegation to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.

The special envoy, mandated by the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-333, October 18, 2004), will work in the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and report directly to the secretary of state.

The North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 is intended to promote international cooperation on human rights and refugee protection and increased transparency in the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of North Korea. It authorizes funds for programs to promote human rights, democracy, rule of law, a market economy and freedom of information.

"Mr. Lefkowitz will increase awareness and promote efforts to improve the human rights of the long-suffering North Korean people," a senior administration official told the press on background August 19.

According to the official, the special envoy will meet with international organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to promote coordinated humanitarian activities in North Korea and "will also engage with North Korea on human rights concerns."

Lefkowitz plans to increase broadcasting by Radio Free Asia into North Korea and will travel to the region, the official said.

Asked if Lefkowitz's appointment would have any bearing on the Six-Party Talks to end North Korea's nuclear program, the official said the envoy would coordinate his activities with the chief U.S. negotiator for the talks, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill.

North Korea remains one of the most repressive countries in the world and stands in stark contrast to democratic governments elsewhere in Asia, according to the State Department's report Supporting Human Rights and Democracy:  The U.S. Record 2004-2005.

The report estimates 150,000-200,000 persons are being held for political reasons in detention camps in remote areas where prisoners have died from torture, starvation, disease, exposure or a combination of these causes.

"The regime controls many aspects of citizens’ lives, denying freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly and association," the report says. "The regime also severely restricts freedom of movement and worker rights."

In the State Department's 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report, North Korea was rated as a Tier 3 country, the least favorable rating.  Tier 3 is reserved for countries whose governments not only fail to implement international standards but fail to make progress in prosecuting rampant trafficking and engage in acts such as state-sanctioned use of forced labor.

The announcement is available on the White House Web site.

See the State Department Web site for copies of Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2004-2005 and the 2005 Trafficking in PersonsReport.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)