Save North Korean Refugees #SaveMyFriend

Stop China's repatriation of North Korean refugees

Dear Mr. ___________,

Please allow me to take this opportunity to express my deep respect for your keen interest and constant effort as UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea to address the human rights situation in North Korea.

On the 8th, 10th, and 12th of February 2012, in three separate incidents, a total of 30 North Korean refugees were arrested by the Public Security Bureau in China and are currently in urgent danger of being repatriated to the DPRK. I understand that most of the arrested refugees have family members in South Korea and were captured during an attempt to reunite with these family members. One of the refugees in particular is a teenage orphan who escaped North Korea after losing his parents in order to search for his brother in South Korea.

This is a case of great significance because it is the first arrest of North Korean refugees following the death of Kim Jong Il. Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong Il's son and successor, has declared his intention to annihilate refugees that fled the DPRK during the mourning period for his father, together with their entire families.

As you are aware, Article 1 of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, as amended by the 1967 Protocol (the "Convention"), defines a refugee as "any person who owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country." Further, Article 33(1) expressly mandates that "[n]o Contracting State shall expel or return ('refouler') a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. By returning North Korean refugees to their country, China, which became a Contracting State to the Convention in 1982, openly and blatantly violates the Convention's prohibition on forced repatriation.

While a number of human rights organizations have appealed to the National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea for an emergency rescue effort, this is an issue that demands the attention of, and resolution by, the international community. I understand that the first step would be for you to issue an official statement regarding the case, and then for the UNHCR to organize an emergency rescue operation. In view of the urgency and gravity of this case, I urge that fast and effective action be taken.

Sincerely yours,

[Your name]