A/HRC/25/CRP.1 divorce him when he was arrested so as to avoid guilt by association. His mother and two sisters were sent to Kwanliso No. 15.251 238. There have been recent commentaries regarding DPRK citizens increasingly expressing openly their anger about the economic conditions. It was reported, for example, that when women under 50 were banned from trading in the open markets in North Hamgyong Province in early 2008, a protest staged by groups of women led to a relaxing of the ban. A wave of protests was said to have taken place during the DPRK’s failed attempt at currency reform towards the end of 2009. People were seen burning old currency notes in public in protest. This was however followed by reports of around 50 executions taking place including of the officials supposedly responsible for the policy reform. In early 2011, when electricity was diverted from North Pyongan Province to light up Pyongyang in commemoration of Kim Jong-il’s birthday, the people there had spontaneously protested, demanding both food and electricity.252 239. The Commission noted that these random protests are mostly about economic conditions rather than direct criticisms against the state. The two appear to be closely connected; and as information from the outside world comes through from China to the DPRK border areas and trickles inland, increasing numbers of DPRK citizens learn of different truths. With the recent execution of the supposed second most powerful person after the Supreme Leader, however, and purges of those associated with the former, the people are again warned of the state’s apparently arbitrary power over life and death and its determination to stem anti-state or anti-revolutionary activities. 4. Denial of freedom of religion and of religious expression 240. Freedom of religion and religious expression are guaranteed in articles 18 and 19 of the ICCPR, as well as articles 13 and 14 of the CRC. Both treaties not only call for State Parties to recognize these rights, but also to protect associated rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.253 Despite being a State Party to these treaties, the Commission finds that these protections are not afforded to DPRK citizens who are consequently unable to practise the religion of their choosing. (a) Institutionalization of the personality cult 241. At the London Public Hearing, the Reverend Stuart Windsor provided testimony regarding the institutionalization of “the personality cult and requirement of unwavering obedience” such that “no political deviation is tolerated”.254 The reverence and idolatry of Kim Il-sung was compared to a religious belief, and several sub-principles of the Ten Principles were highlighted to contain elements indicating the religious nature of the state ideology.255 In particular, Principle 4 of the Ten Principles states: 251 252 253 254 255 TJH015. “Can the ‘Jasmine Revolution’ Spread to N. Korea?”, The Chosun Ilbo, 23 February 2011. Available from http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/02/23/2011022301300.html; “N.Korean Protestors Demand Food and Electricity”, The Chosun Ilbo, 23 February 2011. Available from http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/02/23/2011022300383.html; Reporters Without Borders, “North Korea: Frontiers of Censorship – Investigation Report”, p. 4. See ICCPR, article 21 and CRC, article 15. London Public Hearing, 23 October 2013, session 5 (with reference to written submission). Examples of such sub-principles (as translated by Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights) include: 67