Rob Portman: North Korea Has Little Regard for Human Dignity or Human Rights

‘We found out eight days ago that in fact for the past 16 months that Otto has been in this really tough condition and unable to respond’

PORTMAN: "First, Shannon, this family has been remarkably strong over the past 18 months. I don’t know how they’ve done it. No family should have to go through what they’ve gone through. We found out eight days ago that in fact for the past 16 months that Otto has been in this really tough condition and unable to respond and I guess now we know why they wouldn’t allow access. Normally with the Swedish embassy there is able to visit the prisoners and so it’s a real tragedy. Yet he is home.And I was there, as you know, with the family when he came home. Very emotional. My heart goes out to the family and we worked hard with them trying every angle but the North Korean regime is as bad as the worst expectations. If anybody questions the nature of this regime they shouldn’t anymore. Not only don’t they respect the rule of law and basic freedoms that we all enjoy, but this is a regime that has little regard for human dignity or human rights at all to not permit once they knew of his medical condition for there to be access and for there to be help is abhorrent. So we’ll know more later today. There will be a press conference by the family and also a press conference by the medical professionals caring for Otto."

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