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WASHINGTON-A U.S. watchdog on religious freedom urged China on Tuesday to stop repatriating refugees to North Korea, where it said returning asylum seekers are often tortured in an effort to suppress Christianity.The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said in a 49-page report that North Korea employs stringent security measures to stop the spread of religion, especially Protestant Christianity, which has connections with past U.S. intervention and modern-day South Korea.Some of the harshest treatment is inflicted on refugees sent back to North Korea from China, the commission said."The forcible repatriation of refugees from China remains an issue of special concern," said its report on North Korea, titled "A Prison Without Bars.""If it is discovered that they have either converted to Christianity while in China or had contact with South Koreans-both of which are considered to be political offenses-they reportedly suffer harsh interrogation, torture and ill-treatment."Refugees can also be sent to forced labor camps and prisons, often without trial, the report said.The commission called on the international community to pressure Beijing to stop repatriating refugees and provide increased protections as required by international protocols."Such action should begin immediately as China prepares to host the 2008 Summer Olympics," the report said.To read more go to:
As in the days of Noah....
