The forgotten ones

Despite all the scrutiny, North Korean human rights remain under the radar

China has taken a lot of well-deserved heat on its human rights record heading into the Beijing Olympics which start August 8.

Heading the list is international criticism to the communist country’s handling of the protests in the ethnic Tibetan regions. The demonstrations have resulted in deaths and imprisonments.

China has also been stung by critics for its close relationship with Sudan and not doing enough to pressure the government in northern Sudan to halt the bloodshed in Darfur.

But overlooked in the human rights violations by China is the government’s on-going policy regarding the cruel, inhumane treatment of North Korean refugees.

Thousands of North Koreans – many of them Christians – have fled to China in search of a better life. Some try to leave permanently as they seek freedom or flee religious persecution, but most cross the border in search of jobs or food so they can return and support their starving families in North Korea. North Koreans cross the Tumen River at points where it is shallow or simply walk across in the winter when sections are frozen, to enter China. It is estimated that between 100,000 and 300,000 North Korean refugees are hiding in China.

Unfortunately, people take on causes based on emotions rather than logic. I do not wish to disparage the Pro-Tibet groups, but their cause is built for Hollywood. Who is the Dalai Lama of the North Korean human rights movement? There is none.

Under this model of social activism, the only way for a cause to be appealing is to make it “cool” or “sexy”. No doubt organizations like LiNK are working on that (how about adopting a slick looking blog, hmm?).

While I cringe every time I hear a celebrity spout about some cause because it is the latest fad, I believe in order for North Korean human rights to gain major attention, one has to market to that type of crowd.

Until then, North Korean human rights will neither be first nor second in hierarchy of Chinese human rights violations.