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THE UNITED NATIONS has criticised China and Laos, arguing that the countries have disregarded their international commitments by sending nine young asylum seekers back to North Korea.
“We are extremely concerned for the protection of this group, which includes up to five minors, who are at risk of severe punishment and ill treatment,” said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN high commissioner for human rights.
“We are dismayed that the governments of Laos and China appear to have abrogated their non-refoulement obligations, especially given the vulnerability of this group, all of whom are reported to be orphans,” Colville told reporters in Geneva.
‘Refoulement’ is the term used under international law for unjustly sending a refugee home.
In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the United States was “very concerned” by the forced repatriation.
“We urge all countries in the region to cooperate in the protection of North Korean refugees within their territories,” she told reporters.
“We do remain very concerned about their well-being, and we’re monitoring it closely,” she said.
The nine people, arrested in Laos three weeks ago, were returned to China on Monday and flown back to North Korea the following day.
North Korean defectors traditionally try to make the journey to South Korea by first heading to China and then proceeding onwards from other countries. Laos previously had been seen as a relatively safe transit point.
“We urge the Chinese and Laotian authorities to publicly clarify the fate of the nine young North Koreans, as well as the conditions under which they were returned,” Colville said.
He also urged North Korea to allow independent monitors immediate access to the group.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is believed to have tightened border controls since he came to power after the death of his father Kim Jong-Il in December 2011.
The number of refugees arriving in South Korea plunged more than 40 per cent, to 1,508 last year.
“The situation of returnees to North Korea has been a constant source of concern for many years. They can receive very severe punishment merely because they have left the country,” Colville said.
“Before anyone is sent back, we need to assess their asylum claim, and ensure they will be secure if they are sent back. That’s a process that should be gone through, rather than some summary return,” he said.
Dan McNorton, spokesman for the UN high commissioner for refugees, said his agency was “gravely concerned” for the group’s safety.
“All countries should refrain from any measures, directly or indirectly, that lead to the return of a person to a country where his or her life will be threatened,” he told reporters.
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Any other organisation would have the angry mob at the door hounding them out if they were responsible for even a fraction of the hurt and pain that the catholic church has caused it victims and their families and yet people still flock to mass on a Sunday … Maybe I’m missing something but I just don’t get it.
Josephine: Most people go to Mass to worship Jesus Christ, not the priest or the bishop or the Pope.
Yep, this country is obsessed with praying to their imaginary friends
So the Vatican won’t allow a priest be reported to the police nor will they defrock one? I’ve heard it all now. It’s about time Vatican city got a wake up call and the head of state (pope) tried for crimes against humanity just like any other dictator and his regime. He deserves the same treatment Gaddafi got. Only difference being that Gaddafi hadn’t a penchant for little boys and girls.
Can they also it them in prison as rapists?
Thats what happens when a champion of mind control is given free reign by sovereign States. Humans can be conditioned to believing and doing just about anything. Absolute free will is a delusion. The historic power of the Catholic Church across the world is just one of many examples of this.
The nonexistence of free will actually goes a bit further. We don’t have free will because everything that happens in our heads and by our bodies in general is according to the laws of physics.
Very true Dave.
Pay??? They should be sent to prison with all the other criminals! If someone murders another human being they don’t get a bill,they get locked up! Why does the church think it’s above our law?
Well girl, It’s because they love their money so It’s a super duper punishment for those assholes
Yes, they should indeed be in prison if they are guilty.
But these are cases which are so old that the State will not pursue them. It is because of the law of the land that they are not in prison.
Not good enough,you can’t put a price on the pain and suffering of children (or anyone) no matter how greedy you are. Dirty beasts. I’m so sick of them and all the hypocritical crap they spout. You can keep your faith without dealing with these animals and giving more money to the church too,I never understood how people can’t think it’s so cheeky of them to pass a basket around looking for money…..
Emsy Wemsy: I don’t know what your point is. The fact is that when crimes are very old the State does not(and legally cannot) pursue them. It’s the same with every crime, not just abuse. That’s why there is no question of those priests going to prison.
Do you think it’s wrong for compensation to be given to abuse victims?
Almar
I think there is no time limit on prosecuting for rape or murder
Almar,after reading my last comment I can see how unclear my point is. What I mean is that giving out money is hardly giving the victims justice is it? There should be no time limit on receiving punishment for a violent and horrendous crime such as rape or more specifically the rape of children. They should also be removed from the priesthood. It just baffles me that they can name a price too though,how much would you expect your son or daughter to receive after being violated in such a way? I honestly think that I would feel extremely offended by their gesture if it was me or mine…..
The Vatican needs to take a leaf out of the Belgian churches book
The vatican needs to take a leaf out of the bible…
Pay? With what? They receive just enough to live on, priesthood is not a career choice for the upwaqrdly mobile!! Foolish bishops again – nice soundbite – no substance.
@AlMar – you don’t have to walk
Into a catholic church to worship Jesus Christ if this is your believe you can worship anywhere.
But just spare a thought for Zeus, Thor, Wotan and Mithra we wouldnt wish to make them jealous Josephine.
Agree,if you have a faith in any of the gods and if god is everywhere and all knowing,then surely you can worship from the comfort of your own home. The church is merely a social gathering point. I don’t have a scrap of any type of religion in me so maybe I just don’t understand. God won’t listen if you don’t waste away the life he gave to you by sitting in a church and praying he doesn’t do something nasty to you……I’d prefer to not believe and actually live my life feeling good for doing good rather than being bribed with good stuff after I die in order for me to do good
Damn, those fu*kers are in every country :-(
If the person makes a complaint after the statute of limitation has expired they cannot be charged with an offence.
I am a Psychiatrist and a Survivor of clergy sex abuse. I know that survivors who have been betrayed in this fourfold way: physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual by religious authority figures are ‘shattered’.
We served a life sentence of pain from our abuse. Even those of us who heal and forgive have ‘trigger times’ when it all comes flooding back.
It is good that the Belgian bishops plan to offer restitution to the survivors. It is a beginning.
Many survivors have lost thier faith. (imagine that!). I have written a book, ‘I Didn’t Fall, I Was Pushed: Triumphant Recovery from Clergy Sex Abuse’ (Amazon) which I released on Dec. 28, the Feast of the Holy Innocents. In it I hope to encourage other survivors, who wish to, to regain a connection with the Divine. This does not have to happen through ‘organized religion’. Thanks for reading this.
Well said susan. Let us go back to where it all began and that is in the home and each others houses. I myself love JC through my own personel experiences but as is said in scripture let us all find our own way in the dark as it were. And know that there is the divine waiting to be discovered by anyone wishing to reach out and feel for it. It is not to be found in buildings or objects but in the very hearts of everyone of us and is simply called truth. Which im afraid is in short supply in the RC church. I wonder would they know truth if it hit them between the eyes. I think JC would throw them all out. he Would not put with the lies. Love and peace to you all x
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