Human Rights Updates — Urgent Action Update: Forcible returned woman...

19.2.18

Human Rights Updates — Urgent Action Update: Forcible returned woman...:

A woman named Koo Jeong-hwa (aged 24, previously identified as Lee Su-jung in China) has been detained since 3 December 2017 in North Korea and a decision on her sentence is expected from the Ministry of State Security in March 2018. She is at risk of being sent to a political prison camp together with her 4-year-old son, where they may be subjected to torture or other ill-treatment.

Koo Jeong-hwa was transferred to a detention centre in Hoeryeong City, North Korea on 3 December 2017 and the Ministry of State Security is expected to pass a decision on her sentence in March 2018. There is a high chance that she will be convicted without a fair trial and given a life sentence at a political prison camp, where she may be subjected to forced labour, torture, or other ill-treatment.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Please write immediately in Korean, English or your own language urging the authorities to:

Ensure that Koo Jeong-hwa and the other individuals previously detained with her are protected from torture and other ill-treatment, and have regular and unrestricted access to medical treatment on request or as necessary during detention;
Release Koo Jeong-hwa and the other individuals previously detained with her, and drop the charges against them unless there is sufficient credible admissible evidence that they have committed an internationally recognizable criminal offense and are promptly tried in proceedings which meet international fair trial standards, without recourse to the death penalty.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 26 MARCH 2018 TO:

Minister of State Security
Kim Won-hung
Ministry of State Security
Pyongyang Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Salutation: Dear Minister

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ri Yong-ho
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Pyongyang
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Twitter: @uriminzok
Salutation: Dear Minister

And copies to:

Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the Office of the United Nations
Mr Ja Song-nam
820 Second Ave, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10017, USA
Fax: +1 212 972 3154
Email: dpr.korea@verizon.net

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. HIS EXCELLENCY MR IL CHOE, Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, 73 Gunnersbury Avenue W5 4LP tel: 020 8992 4965 Fax 020 8992 2053 prkinfo@yahoo.com, salutation: Your Excellency

Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the second update of UA 253/17. Further information: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa24/7534/2017/en/

LET US KNOW

It’s so important to report your actions: we record the number of actions taken on each case and use that information in our advocacy. Either email us at iar@amnesty.org.uk with “FI25317_2” in the subject line or click below.

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