A global human rights organization has urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to protect North Korean athletes, amid rumors that they may be punished for taking viral selfies with South Korean rivals at the Paris Olympics.

In a statement released this week, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the IOC has a responsibility to shield athletes from “all forms of harassment and abuse” under the Olympic Charter, urging the committee to discourage the participation of “repressive states” like the DPRK.