*EPF103 10/18/2004
Text: President Bush Signs North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004
(New law provides for special envoy to coordinate international dialogue) (340)

On October 18, President Bush signed into law H.R. 4011, the "North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004," according to a statement released by the White House on the same day.

The statement highlighted Section 107 of the legislation, a provision that calls for the president to appoint a special envoy within the Department of State for human rights in North Korea.

The envoy will be expected to coordinate efforts to improve respect for the fundamental human rights of the people of North Korea through discussions with North Korean officials, dialogue with multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union, and consultation with nongovernmental organizations concerned with relevant issues.

The envoy will also be expected to develop an action plan to support implementation of a resolution of censure passed by the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in April, which cited North Korea's human rights abuses and called for investigation by a special rapporteur.

"The executive branch shall implement Section 107 in a manner consistent with the Constitution's grant to the President of the authority to conduct the foreign affairs of the United States," the statement said.

The full text of the legislation can be found at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?c108:./temp/~c108OGdHNR

Following is the text of the White House statement:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Marlton, New Jersey)
October 18, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Today, I have signed into law H.R. 4011, the "North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004." The Act is intended to help promote human rights and freedom in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Section 107 of the Act purports to direct negotiations with foreign governments and international organizations. The executive branch shall implement Section 107 in a manner consistent with the Constitution's grant to the President of the authority to conduct the foreign affairs of the United States.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,
October 18, 2004

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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