Nine Burmese individuals who have been campaigning for democracy in Burma were recently given final notification by the Korean government that their applications for refugee status in Korea has been denied. They have worked to tell the world of the military dictatorship in their country. Now they will either have to return and face political oppression or roam the world without a home.
Korea has steadily increased the number of foreign nationals it has granted refugee status. It recognized 2 individuals as refugees in 2001 and 12 in 2003. That was somewhat an improvement over the situation prior to that. Korea joined the international treaty on refugees in 1992 but was criticized for not accepting any for the almost 10 years that followed.
Nevertheless there remain many problems with the government's refugee policy. To begin with the policy is not transparent. Every one of the 9 Burmese who have been rejected wants to at least know why. The only reason the government gives is that their documentation and testimony have not proven they have basis to fear returning to their country as defined in Article 1 of the refugee convention. The Citizen's Action Network formally requested that the government disclose its internal guidelines for judging applications for refugee status, but the Justice Ministry has refused, saying the matter relates to national security, reunification, and diplomatic relations with other countries.
Even more a problem is the lack of expertise and human rights awareness on the part of the agency responsible for refugees. Applications are reviewed by the Justice Ministry's Immigration Bureau, which mainly handles illegal aliens, and the final decision is made by the justice minister. Experts are saying that is very dangerous, since the risk is that refugees might be treated more in the context of immigration control than human rights.
The refugee issue is relevant for Korea. During the military dictatorships there were Koreans who were able to save their lives by seeking exile overseas, and today there are a considerable number of North Korean defectors who are unable to receive protection as refugees and roam about from country to country. Even without that, however, it is a shame for all of us to be sending people who obviously risk death should they be returned to their country as if they are of no concern.
The Hankyoreh, 26 April 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Refugee Policy Needs Changes |
