Christian Solidarity Worldwide Leads Protest Against Tortured North Koreans

|TOP|Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and partner organisations held a protest outside the Chinese Embassy in London on Thursday 22 June at 4 pm to demonstrate and highlight the imprisonment, torture and even execution that North Koreans face when returned to the country after escaping.

The event coincides with the Global Week of Prayer for North Korea, organised by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and partner agencies across the world. The prayer week embarked on 19 June and will run until 25 June.

CSW's Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, says: "We encourage all Christians and Churches to take up this call to prayer during the Global Week of Prayer for North Korea, and especially on Sunday 25th June, the anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. We are anxious that the horrific suffering and darkness overshadowing the people of North Korea should finally be demolished."

Daily twelve hour vigils are being held outside the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea and protests and meetings are taking place in a range of other cities.

The week-long prayer initiative will look to protest against the atrocities and human rights violations committed against the people of North Korea. The world has focused its attention on the dangers posed by the North Korean regime, which are keenly felt by the North Korean citizens who are in the tight grip of the regime's repressive rule.

|AD|Those who manage to escape the country often get rejected by China. Instead of recognising fleeing North Koreans as refugees, or allowing them access to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, it returns them to North Korea where they suffer sever maltreatment.

CSW's Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, says: "It is shocking that China is sending innocent North Koreans back to face torture, detention and even death. As a party to the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, China is unquestionably and blatantly violating international law.

"China is quick to seek protection for its own migrants here, even when they are illegal, while it systematically denies all rights to legitimate refugees on its own territory. Its blanket policy of refusing all North Koreans access to asylum procedures and to the UNHCR is an absolute scandal."

The next Prayer Meeting is scheduled for 12 noon on Saturday 24 June, at St Michael's Church, Chester Square, London.