UNHCR protests Chinese deportation of North Koreans
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today said it has protested to the Chinese government over the deportation of seven individuals to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), where they could face severe reprisals.
UNHCR last month recognised the seven as refugees, including a 13-year-old boy, after they made their way from North Korea to Russia, across Chinese territory. The refugee agency informed both the Chinese and the Russian governments about its decision to grant them refugee status. It also expressed readiness to resettle the group in a third country. But despite UNHCR's pleas, Russia deported the seven to China on December 30.
UNHCR then appealed to Chinese authorities to refrain from sending them back to North Korea. But on Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry told UNHCR that the refugees had been sent to North Korea. The ministry did not specify when they were deported or how it happened.
"We are gravely concerned by the Chinese decision to deport people whom UNHCR has recognised as refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention," said High Commissioner Sadako Ogata. She also urged the North Korean authorities to treat the seven deported refugees humanely.
Both China and Russia are signatories of the 1951 Convention - the cornerstone of international refugee law, which clearly bans "refoulement," or forcible return of refugees to areas where they could face danger or persecution.
In a letter sent to the Chinese government on Wednesday, UNHCR protested the violation of the 1951 Convention and fundamental humanitarian principles.
UNHCR has been in regular contact with Chinese authorities over the past two years in an effort to address the issue of North Koreans in China, some of whom definitely meet the criteria for refugee status.
UNHCR strongly urges China to refrain from fresh deportations of North Koreans in the future.
Related news and stories
The Global Compact on Refugees, explained
China can play key role in solving refugee crises - UNHCR chief
Chinese schools offer primary education for urban refugees
UNHCR chief calls on states to respect non-refoulement after North Koreans deported from Laos
UNHCR reaches Kachins sent back from China
UNHCR concerned about welfare of Kachins sent back from China
Your search for « North Koreans refugee » matched 804 results. Displaying page 4 of 90 pages.
-
Global estimates 2011: People displaced by natural hazard-induced disasters, IDMC, 2012
Jun 2012 ... Japan Philippines Laos South Korea North Korea Malaysia Indonesia Thailand Vietnam Kazakhstan Cambodia ... (IDMC) was established by the Norwegian Refugee Council in 1998, on the request of the ...... -
High Commissioner's mission to Asia
17 Jun 2003 ... They discussed South Korea's domestic asylum policy, the issue of North Koreans fleeing their country ... On Thursday and Friday - World Refugee Day - Mr. Lubbers will join his predecessor, former High ...... -
Refugees Magazine Issue 104 (UNHCR's World) - Russian Federation: A Vladivostok weekend
1 Jun 1996 ... The Foreign Ministry was requesting UNHCR's help in Vladivostok, where three North Koreans had asked ... There's no time to establish trust, I must interview him now. It's obvious that he is a refugee...... -
The State of The World's Refugees 1997: A Humanitarian Agenda - Chapter 5: The Asylum Dilemma
1 Jan 1997 ... million people have submitted requests for refugee status in Western Europe, North America, Japan and Australasia. ... Republic, Guatemala, Iran, South Korea, Oman, the Philippines, South Africa, ...... -
Lubbers embarks on second leg of Asia mission in Tokyo
17 Jun 2003 ... TOKYO, June 17 (UNHCR) - UN refugee agency chief Ruud Lubbers today completed a two-day visit to South Korea and arrived in Japan, ... policy and the issue of North Koreans fleeing their country ...... -
UNHCR Country Operations Plan 2006 - China, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Mongolia
1 Sep 2005 ... ... UNHCR will continue to monitor the situation of North Korean asylum seekers and related developments ... regulations, UNHCR will remain engaged in refugee status determination, in addition to ...... -
Bullet point summary of the strategic presentation on UNHCR's operations in Asia and the Pacific, 29th meeting of the Standing Committee, 9-11 March 2004
26 Feb 2004 ... UNHCR has not been granted access to North Korean asylum-seekers in China. UNHCR remains deeply concerned that such individuals do not have access to a refugee status determination process and are ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2001 - East Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview
1 Jun 2002 ... The Philippines Republic of Korea Singapore Solomon Islands ... led to an influx of several groups into north-east Cambodia. ... send a team to assist with refugee status determination and ...... -
UNHCR Global Appeal 2007 - East Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview
1 Dec 2006 ... ... In China, protection concerns include the lack of appro- priate national refugee regulations, and the legal status of North Koreans; in particular, the need to prevent forced deportations and to ......