Rights group urges China to stop deporting North Korean border-crossers

[News_Editor]

Rights group urges China to stop deporting North Korean border-crossers

2012-03-01 02:06:48 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON, England (BNO NEWS) -- Amnesty International on Wednesday urged Chinese authorities to not forcibly return any more North Korean border-crossers caught en-route to South Korea, after it emerged that nine people were sent back.

The London-based rights group said that border-crossers would be at serious risk of torture and other ill-treatment, forced labour, imprisonment in political prison camps and execution if they are sent back to North Korea. At least 40 North Koreans are said to be currently held in detention facilities near the China-North Korea border after being caught in transit.

"The reported denouncement of border-crossers by North Korea's new government during a time of leadership transition could signal that those returned may be subjected to even harsher punishment than usual," said Rajiv Narayan, Amnesty International's Korea expert. North Korea is undergoing a leadership transition after the death of Kim Jong-il and the succession of his son Kim Jong-un in December 2011.

In January, the North Korean authorities reportedly condemned border-crossers and threatened them with severe punishments on their return. "The North Korean authorities must ensure that no one is detained or prosecuted for going to China, nor subjected to gross violations of their human rights on return there," Narayan said.

North Koreans are not allowed to travel abroad without state permission. However, despite being at risk of torture and execution when caught, thousands of North Koreans illegally cross the border into China every year.

China considers all undocumented North Koreans to be economic migrants and forcibly returns them to North Korea if they are caught. International law prohibits the forcible return, either directly or indirectly, of any individuals to a country where they are at risk of persecution, torture or other ill-treatment, or death.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-03-01

[maidu]

I agree. It's tough enough to exit N.Korea - but to then be forcefully herded back by Chinese guards is despicable. It's no secret that returnees are abused and/or killed. Families left behind are also abused, whether the escape is successful or not.

Similar to Muslims who are punished or killed if they don't fully accept the religious dogma imposed upon them, N.Koreans are compelled by force to stay in their miserable country.

People who impose such draconian mandates are so insecure about their own beliefs, that they have to impose restrictions on others, using death threats.