Evangelicals and Jews team up to expose North Korean human rights abuses

(RNS) Evangelicals and Reform Jews are teaming up to release video footage of recent public executions in North Korea, one of numerous human rights abuses the groups say are occurring there.

Christian and Jewish leaders and religious freedom advocates gathered April 7 to watch the video recording at a conference hosted by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who says the footage will be sent to each member of Congress.

The footage - obtained by Japanese television networks - shows three executions March 1 and 2 of North Koreans charged by police with illegal border crossing.

Richard Cizik, vice president for governmental affairs of the Washington-based National Association of Evangelicals, also said calling for an end to human rights abuses in North Korea is a religious matter.