OPEN DOORS URGES CHRISTIANS TO PROTEST AGAINST CHINA’S POLICY OF REPATRIATING NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES

Open Doors today urged Christians to demonstrate between 11.30am - 1.30pm, Saturday 26 April at the Chinese Embassy. They want to highlight the Chinese government’s policy of forcibly repatriating refugees who flee North Korea.

“One refugee from North Korea who paid the ultimate price for escaping was Jong Cheol,"said Eddie Lyle, Chief Executive Open Doors UK and Ireland. "An 11 year-old boy who came to faith in Christ whilst on the run in China was arrested by the Chinese police and mercilessly sent back to North Korea. Following brutal treatment by Korean officers, one of his friends betrayed the fact that Jong Cheol was a Christian. Jong was executed.”

Jong’s story is just one example of the lengths the North Korean government will go to in dealing with those of its citizens who have come into contact with Chinese Christians. According to Open Doors, which serves persecuted Christians worldwide, Jong’s story is by no means exceptional. Many are tortured and sent to death camps, from where few emerge alive.

China’s repatriation of refugees by force contravenes its obligations under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, to which it is a signatory.

Eddie Lyle added,“China will simply not give refuge to any North Koreans who flee their homeland because of the desperation engendered by famine, dire poverty or persecution. Nor will they allow them safe passage to another country.

Instead, the Chinese government invests heavily in resources and manpower to ensure that these refugees are caught. Horrendous abuses happen to them while in custody in China but far worse awaits them on their return to North Korea.

“In Seoul recently I met Kim (a pseudonym), a 19-year-old North Korean who had walked 5,500 miles to freedom to South Korea, which shows the lengths to which North Koreans will go to, to escape the famine and appalling deprivation in their own country.  Many Chinese Christians are prepared to shelter people like Kim, but while they might face detention and punishment by China’s authorities, repatriated North Koreans sometimes pay the ultimate price. These repatriations by the Chinese government must stop.

Further details of Open Doors’ campaign including how you can write to the Chinese ambassador, can be found at www.opendoorsuk.org.