SEOUL, Aug. 7 (UPI) — An Indonesia human rights group has denounced the recognition of North Korea’s Kim Jong Un as a “Global Statesman” by the Sukarno Center and has called for a prompt reversal of the nomination.
KontraS, a human rights commission established in Indonesia to investigate victims of state violence, said Pyongyang’s widespread human rights violations under the Kim regime makes it improper and unethical for the Sukarno Center to elect him as a world leader who promotes peace and development, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.
KontraS said the most recent report of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea indicated human rights violations are systemic. The group demanded the Sukarno Center immediately retract its decision to elect Kim for the foundation’s “Global Statesman” award, South Korean television network KBS reported.
Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, the second daughter of Indonesia’s founding President Sukarno, made the controversial announcement last week after a meeting with North Korea Ambassador Ri Jong Ryul.
“We will give the award to [North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un because he has been consistent in carrying out the ideals of the great leader Kim Il Sung, which is to fight imperialism,” Rachmawati had said.
Rachmawati said criticism from the “West’s political propaganda machine” has not affected her decision to honor Kim with the award, Yonhap reported.
Kim has been charged with continuing the rule of terror that was formed under his grandfather Kim Il Sung.
Under Kim, North Koreans continue to be arbitrarily detained, tortured and purged, according to Human Rights Watch.
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