Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL9868):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risks faced by North Korean refugees who are sent back to North Korea. (HL9868)
Tabled on: 05 September 2023
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
Despite claims by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) that forcibly repatriated refugees are well treated and reintegrated into DPRK society, it is clear from UN and NGO reports that they are often mistreated by the authorities. The UN Human Rights Council resolution on the situation of human rights in the DPRK, which the UK cosponsored in April 2023, urges the DPRK to ensure their citizens who are expelled or repatriated to the country are able to return in safety, dignity and are treated humanely.
Date and time of answer: 19 Sep 2023 at 17:29.
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Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL9869):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they intend to raise the refusal by the government of China to provide assistance or protection to North Korean refugees in the UN Human Rights Council. (HL9869)
Tabled on: 05 September 2023
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
The UK regularly co-sponsors the UN Human Rights Council resolution on the situation of human rights in the DPRK, most recently adopted on 4 April 2023, which strongly urges all States to respect the fundamental principle of non-refoulement. The UK actively promotes the implementation of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and we regularly call on all countries to abide by the principle of non-refoulement and not forcibly return people to countries where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
Date and time of answer: 19 Sep 2023 at 17:29.