A/HRC/25/CRP.1 (d) Compulsory membership in mass organizations 181. Article 22 of the ICCPR, article 15 of the CRC, and the DPRK Constitution provide for the right to freedom of association.139 182. The DPRK has claimed that if anyone wishes to form a democratic social organization, an application should be sent to the Cabinet thirty days in advance, specifying the purpose of the organization, the number of its members, its organizational structure, date of inauguration, and the name of the leader, accompanied by a copy of the proposed statute.140 There are reportedly associations such as the Unified Culture and Arts League, the Democratic Attorneys’ Association, the Anti-Nuclear Peace Committee and the AfricaAsia Coalition Committee. However, all of these bodies appear to also be under the oversight of the Workers’ Party of Korea.141 In practice, not a single officially registered political party or civil society organization appears to exist that is not effectively under the control of the state and of the Workers’ Party of Korea. 183. All citizens are required to become members of and participate in the activities of mass associations that are under the oversight of the Workers’ Party of Korea.142 Membership starts on entry to elementary school.143 All children aged between 7 and 13 are made members of the Children’s Union. Their activities are overseen by officials of the Kim Il-sung Socialist Youth League, which is made up of DPRK citizens aged between 14 and 30.144 After the age of 30, a citizen becomes a member of the General Federation of Korean Trade Unions, Democratic Women’s Union or the Union of Agricultural Working People depending on one’s employment and marital status.145 Although the on-going socioeconomic changes make Party membership less attractive than in the past, most citizens would still aspire to become a member of the Workers’ Party of Korea. This is, however, a privilege granted only to about 15 per cent of the population. Party members also become officials of the mass associations controlled by the Party.146 It is compulsory to be a member of one of these associations until one’s death.147 One witness remarked that even those who were forcibly repatriated would resume membership upon release from detention.148 184. Membership of these associations serves several basic functions. One is to organize and monitor the daily activities of the people whether at work or outside of work. Another is to ensure continued indoctrination through regular classes on teachings of the Kim philosophy as well as sharing of information on current and foreign affairs.149 • A former official for the Kim Il-sung Socialist Youth League spoke of four categories of basic duties to be discharged by members of the Youth League. First 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 50 Article 67 provides that (1) Citizens are guaranteed freedom of speech, the press, assembly, demonstration and association; and (2) The State guarantees the conditions for the free activities of democratic political parties and social organizations. UPR DPRK national report, A/HRC/WG.6/6/PRK/1, para. 44. KINU, White Paper on Human Rights in North Korea (2013), p. 296. TAP007, TSH052. TAP006. TAP015. TAP005, TAP006, TAP007. TAP007. TAP007; KINU, White Paper on Human Rights in North Korea (2013), pp. 296-297; International Coalition to Stop Crimes against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK), “Introduction to North Korea”, pp. 18-19. TAP007. TAP006, TAP007, TSH019.