A panel of human rights experts from the
"It is entirely unacceptable that the families of the remaining 11 individuals have waited 50 long years in limbo with no information about their loved ones," said a group of U.N. experts including Tomás Ojea Quintana, special rapporteur on human rights in
"We call on the DPRK to urgently provide information about their fate and whereabouts and to allow them to freely communicate with their relatives," the experts said. The
The experts also expressed concern over allegations that some of the individuals have been tortured during their disappearance.
"To date, no independent investigations have been conducted into the hijacking, disappearance or alleged torture, as required by the DPRK's international obligations," the statement said.
Hwang In-cheol, 52, whose father,
"Following this convention, the KAL case is unbelievable," he said. "[The abductees] were kidnapped against their will. Not only a meeting but also repatriation should happen under proper principles and procedures."
Hwang was 2 years old when his father, a radio producer, boarded the fateful KAL flight. He said that his father's disappearance and the subsequent absence of information has been an ongoing source of pain and trauma for his family.
"In today's world, it is possible to communicate freely using
Hwang, who has become an outspoken advocate calling for the return of his father and the other abductees, added that his father attempted to escape from
"He really wants to reunite with his family," Hwang said.
In 2014, a
"It is high time that the DPRK start genuine cooperation to clarify the fate and whereabouts of these 11 individuals as well as all the other disappearances cases," the experts said. The group said it has written to the government of
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