The North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 was unanimously passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday.

The act aims to drastically strengthen the protection of human rights of the North Korean people, including defectors.

The legislation, first presented to the House in March by Virginia Rep. Jim Rich, calls for upholding the human rights of the North Korean public, supporting impoverished Northern citizens and protecting defectors from the Stalinist state.

The act allows the provision of subsidies to private non-profit organizations stationed in the North to support them in the causes of developing democracy, market economy and respect of human rights in the country.

The law also stipulates that North Koreans will not be detered from seeking refugee or exile status in the U.S.