2 of 2

Defectors who are repatriated face severe punishment, torture, and sometimes death upon their return. On December 22, human rights groups joined the International Campaign to Block the Repatriation of North Korean Refugees in protests at Chinese embassies and consulate offices worldwide. They asked China to recognize these defectors as political refugees who are entitled to sanctuary under international law and the U.N. Refugee Convention.

Reporters Without Borders, a press freedom group, has filed a complaint regarding the Wednesday incident. "China should allow Chinese and foreign journalists to report freely on North Korea," the Paris-based group said in a letter to Chinese foreign minister Zhaoxing Li.

Sheryl Henderson Blunt is senior news writer for Christianity Today and based in Washington, D.C.

The State Department's report on religious freedom in North Korea says, "the regime appears to have cracked down on unauthorized religious groups in recent years."

The North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 is available from the Library of Congress.

Earlier Christianity Today coverage of North Korea includes:

Deconstructing Gulags | U.S. evangelicals win key legislation for freedom. (Nov. 09, 2004)

A Heartless Homeland | Why more North Koreans than ever are fleeing their country. (Oct. 06, 2004)

The Nightmare of North Korea | One man's story of brutality, courage, love, and freedom. (Oct. 05, 2004)

North Korea Human Rights Act a 'Miracle' | Michael Horowitz credits evangelicals with big role in passage. (Oct. 04, 2004)

Criminal Faith | Going nuclear, North Korea allows worship only of its dictator. (July 08, 2003)

Helping Refugees Run Roadblocks | No nation wants North Koreans, but Christians rally to their cause. (March 17, 2003)

Fleeing North Korea | Christians among the thousands making their way to China. (Oct. 7, 2002)

Persecution Summit Takes Aim at Sudan, North Korea | Christian leaders issue second "Statement of Conscience." (May 2, 2002)

South Koreans Help Neighbors (Aug. 9, 1999)

Famine Toll Exceeds 1 Million (Oct. 5, 1998)

Editorial: North Korea's Hidden Famine | The poor and the weak should not have to starve due to the policies of their government. (May 19, 1997)

Evangelicals Plead for Korean Aid (April 7, 1997)

Bearing the Cross focused on North Korea in 2001.

Earlier Christianity Today coverage of human rights abuses in China includes:

House-Church Leader Arrested | Zhang Rongliang has a high profile in China and internationally. (Jan. 05, 2005)

The Chinese Church's Delicate Dance | A conversation with the head of the Protestant Three-Self Patriotic Movement. (Nov. 11, 2004)

Loose Lips | Christians in Hong Kong worry over remarks by broadcaster. (Aug. 13, 2004)

A Captivating Vision | Why Chinese house churches may just end up fulfilling the Great Commission. (April 14, 2004)

China Arrests Dozens of Prominent Christians | At least 50 detained in fresh crackdown on house churches, reportedly promoted by new video and book releases. (Feb. 18, 2004)

The Red Glowing Cross | A veteran journalist makes vivid the hidden and expanding world of Chinese Christianity (Feb. 18, 2004)

House-Church Christian Dies in Custody | Family saw prisoner injured and bound with heavy chains (Jan, 15, 2004)

Crushing House Churches | Chinese intelligence and security forces attack anew. What you can do to help persecuted Christians in China (Jan. 13, 2004)

'Dangerous' Chinese Bill Is Thwarted | Article 23 would have automatically banned Hong Kong groups now outlawed on the mainland. (Aug. 21, 2003)

Under Suspicion | Hong Kong's Christians fear antisedition measures will curb religious liberty. (Feb. 21, 2003)

Working with the Communists | Some evangelicals minister happily within China's state-supervised Three Self church. (Oct. 18, 2002)

Bush: 'I'm One of Them' | Religious persecution allegations set the stage for George Bush's visit to China. (Feb. 27, 2002)

'New' China: Same Old Tricks | Top communists, despite their denials, endorse arrest and torture of Chinese Christians by the thousands. (Feb. 15, 2002)\

Gong's 'Accusers' Claim Torture Induced False Confessions | Letters from imprisoned Christian women in China describe assaults with electric clubs (Feb. 01, 2002)

Church Leader Gets Reprieve | China's case against Gong Shengliang now on hold. (Jan. 24, 2002)

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

January (Web-only) 2005, Vol. 49