E/CN.4/2000/9 page 137 Democratic People's Republic of Korea Regular communications and replies received 698. By letter dated 29 November 1999, the Special Rapporteur advised the Government that he had received information according to which conditions in detention settlements for political prisoners are very harsh. Prisoners are allegedly frequently ordered to undertake heavy labour for up to 18 hours a day. Some prisoners are reportedly forced to perform this labour while wearing iron leg restraints, metal collars and other restraints. Inadequate food supply, coupled with sleep deprivation, has reportedly led many prisoners to faint from hunger and exhaustion when undertaking forced labour. Punishment cells are said to be too low for a prisoner to stand upright and too small for a prisoner to lie down flat. Prisoners have reportedly been kept in such cells for several weeks for breaking prison rules. Forced abortions are allegedly practised and reportedly no medical care is provided. 699. The Special Rapporteur also transmitted information about the Kaechon Prison, where conditions are reportedly very harsh. Prisoners are said to be only allowed the use of one toilet for 300 people, in shifts, at three fixed times a day. Prisoners are reportedly only allowed to take a shower two or three times a year. Sleeping chambers are reportedly severely overcrowded, fleainfested and dirty. Prison authorities allegedly maintain a strict regime of control through severe punishment for disobeying rules. Prisoners must not speak with each other, laugh or sing. Those who breach the rules are reportedly told that they will be severely punished. Prisoners are reportedly ordered to keep their heads down at all times, resulting in lumps on prisoners' shoulders and heads. Many prisoners are reportedly crippled and hunchbacked as a result. Prisoners are allegedly frequently whipped, kicked, beaten and punched. 700. Lastly, the Special Rapporteur transmitted information on Soon-ok Lee. She was reportedly detained for 14 months at the Nongp'o Assembly Point, followed by six years in the Kaechon Political Prison from 1987 to 1992. While at the Assembly Point, she was allegedly lashed with a triangular rubber whip while naked and tied to a frame, causing swollen wrists and bruises over her body. She was allegedly kept awake for three to four days in a row. She was also allegedly put into a hot brick kiln where officers poured water over her, causing her to lose consciousness. She was allegedly also tied to a bed and forced to swallow large amounts of water pouring down from the ceiling. When she reportedly lost consciousness as a result, a board was allegedly put on her body which officers then trampled on until she vomited. In November 1987, when she was brought to the Kaechon Political Prison, a female prison officer allegedly kicked her with her boots. After more than six years' hard labour, by which time she was reportedly in very poor health, including a damaged pelvis and paralysed face, damaged back and left leg, she was reportedly released in December 1992 and sent to Onsong camp before leaving the country in 1994. 701. By letter dated 9 December 1999, the Government responded to these allegations, but questioned the sources of information of the Special Rapporteur. It denied the allegations, and in particular the existence of "political prisoners camps". It indicated that there existed three "reform institutions through labour", respectively in Sariwon City, Pyongyang City and Chommae County. It referred to its Socialist Constitution, which stipulates that working days should be eight hours long. According to the Criminal Procedures Act, pregnant women are neither detained, nor ordered to perform labour from