To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of China regarding reports that 1,100 North Korean escapees are currently detained in China; when they last made representations to the government of China regarding its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention; and what response they have received to any such representations.
Answered on
13 December 2021
We are aware of disturbing reports of North Korean escapees detained in China. The UK actively promotes the implementation of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. We continue to emphasise directly to China that the authorities should not be detaining North Korean refugees with the intention of returning them to North Korea and to abide by the principle of non-refoulement.