Press Release
31 March 2008

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

Open Doors today urged Christians to get involved in its campaign to highlight the Chinese government’s policy of forcibly repatriating refugees who flee North Korea by taking part in a demonstration at the Chinese embassy later in April.

Eddie Lyle, Chief Executive Open Doors UK and Ireland, said: “One refugee from North Korea who paid the ultimate price for escaping was Jong Cheol, an 11 year-old boy who came to faith in Christ whilst on the run in China. He and his friends were discovered, 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 duly executed as a result.”

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.

The protest takes place between 11.30am to 1.30pm, Saturday 26 April (North Korea Freedom Day) outside the Chinese embassy, 49-51 Portland Place, London, W1B 1JL. The protest is part of an initiative coordinated by the North Korea Freedom Coalition (of which Open Doors is a member) withdemonstrationstaking place at Chinese embassies and consulates around the world, including all six consulates in the United States, as well as activities in Belgium, Canada,Japan and South Korea. More than ten countries are expected to join in.

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 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 this, and Christian martyr Jong, but while they may face detention and punishment by the China’s authorities, repatriated North Koreans sometimes pay the ultimateprice. 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

Media Enquiries:
Iain Taylor
Taylor Communications
01732 740573 or 01732 461060

Notes to Editors:

Founded in 1955, Open Doors is an international charity serving persecuted Christians in around 45 countries around the world. Its work involves:

• Raising awareness of persecuted Christians and mobilising prayer and support in the UK
• Strengthening the faith of Christians behind closed borders through printing and delivering Bibles, Christian literature and teaching/training materials
• Befriending and caring for persecuted Christians by visiting them, writing letters and praying for them
• Enabling believers at risk to earn a living by providing livelihood and literacy training and self-help opportunities
• Equipping evangelists and pastors through theological and leadership training courses and training seminars and supporting Bible colleges.