In terms of human rights, both are notorious for atrocities. The Assad regime has used extreme violence to suppress opposition, especially during the Syrian Civil War (2011–present). Tactics include mass arrests, torture in facilities like Sednaya prison (often called a "human slaughterhouse"), chemical weapons attacks, and barrel bombings of civilian areas. Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands have died, with over 100,000 reportedly tortured or executed in detention. North Korea, meanwhile, maintains a sprawling network of political prison camps (kwanliso) where tens of thousands endure starvation, forced labor, and executions. Defectors report public executions, generational punishment, and near-total control over information. Both regimes weaponize fear.