TRAFFIC OF NORTH KOREAN WOMEN INTO CHINA

Early day motion 365, tabled 20 June 2005 by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 69 members.

That this House is appalled by the human traffic of North Korean women into China for sexual and labour exploitation; notes that this has left as many as 300,000 North Koreans hiding in China unable to return to North Korea, as leaving the country without permission is an offence punishable with death; further notes that the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea has labelled North Koreans in this situation as refugees; regrets that, despite this and the fact that China is a party to the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the Chinese government continues to deport North Koreans who do not have regular immigration status and denies access to the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) to monitor North Koreans in China; requests that China allows the UNHCR this right; and calls upon the Government to make representations to their North Korean counterparts to grant access to the UNHCR to monitor human rights conditions in the country, including conditions in detention centres and prisons.

Signatures by party: Labour 35, Liberal Democrat 20, Conservative 7, DUP 4, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.