KNCC, 국제이주노동자의 날 맞아 세계교회에
한국의 이주노동자 문제 해결을 위한 연대 및 항의 요청공문 발송
한국기독교교회협의회(총무 백도웅 목사)는 12월 18일 국제이주노동자의 날을 맞아 한국의 이주노동자강제추방 위기 상황에 대해서 세계 교회 (세계교회협의회 WCC 총무 Dr. Konrad Raiser, 아시아기독교협의회 CCA 총무 Dr. Ahn Jae Woong, 미국 NCC 총무 Rev. Robert Edgar, 일본 NCC 총무 Rev. Toshimasa Yamamoto, 독일개신교협의회 EKD 아시아담당 총무 Rev. Martin Helmer- Pham Xuan, 캐나다교회협의회 Rev. Jim Sinclair 등)에 서신을 보내 알리고, 이 사안에 대해 세계교회의 관심을 요구하면서, 한국 정부에게 이주노동자강제추방 중지 및 유엔 이주노동자협약에 대한 한국 국회의 비준이 이루어지도록 압력을 행사해 줄 것을 요청했다.
서신을 통해 지난 11월 15일부터 미등록이주노동자에 대한 강제추방이 진행되고 있으며, 스리랑카, 방글라데시, 러시아, 우즈베키스탄, 중국조선족 등 이주노동자들이 죽음에 내몰려 이미 희생을 당했으며, 강제추방이 철회되지 않을 경우 죽음의 행렬은 지속될 수도 있음을 우려했다. 그리고 빠른 시일내에 강제추방철회 및 미등록이주노동자의 현실적인 합법화를 요구했다.
그리고 노무현 대통령, 강금실 법무부장관, 권기홍 노동부 장관, 김창국 국가인권위원장 등에게 항의 서신을 보내줄 것과 국제인권단체들의 연대를 요청했다.
편지의 내용은 아래와 같다.
2003 December 18
RE : Urgent Appeal for Migrant's Situation in Korea on the Occasion of the International Migrant's Day, 18 December
Dear Brothers and sisters
Peace be with you in Christ.
Today is the International Migrant's Day which was proclaimed on December 4th 2000 by the United Nations, to recognize the contributions made by millions of migrants to the economies and well being of their host and home countries, and to promote respect for their basic human rights.
As the international community is more and more recognizing the importance of protection of migrants' human rights, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (New York, 18 December 1990) has finally entered into force on 1 July 2003. We also acknowledge that churches all over the world have also been in actively defending migrant's rights.
Therefore the International Migrant's Day this year would be more significant for all migrants, migrant rights advocates and churches. But unfortunately we can not simply celebrate it due to hardships that migrants in Korea facing now.
Since 15 November 2003, undocumented migrants who have been staying in Korea for more than 4 years are facing forced deportation. This new policy was introduced as a new migrant law in August 2003. It says the following: Undocumented migrants who have been in Korea as of 31 March 2003: 1) for less than 3 years : are eligible for sojourn status. 2) between 3 years and less than 4 years : are eligible for visa issuance certificate but must first leave the country until 15 November. After that, they should within three month of time return to Korea to be employed legally. 3) more than 4 years : no possibility to legalize their status. The Korean government warned that they must leave the country by 15 November otherwise there will be a mass crack down followed by forced deportation.
Fear of deportation and the struggle for justice has seen the death of 8 migrant workers since the 11th of November. One Sri-Lankan (33), threw himself in front of an arriving train at a subway station. A Bangladeshi national (39), hung himself because there was no way any more that he could pay back the loan he had borrowed in order to come to work in Korea. A Russian national (37), jumped overboard in trying to escape from theship taking him back home. An Uzbek (50), out of despair hung himself in a restroom in his own company. A Chinese national (46), died on the streets due to the cold weather despite the fact that he had called the emergency aid centre 112 and 119 several times. Another Bangladeshi was found dead in his container where he hid during the crackdown and was unable to receive proper treatment for his heart ailment. An Indonesian was found dead in a factory where he worked with as a result of a cut through his waist.
We are saddened to know about such tragic situation and afraid that even more migrant workers will commit suicide if the current crackdown and forced
deportation would not stopped. Therefore we hope that more humane and just measures to be considered to solve the current migrant's problems.
In this regard, we would like to urgently request you to raise your concern on migrant's situation and for humane solution through various channels. Please send your letter to the Korean government to request to stop current forced deportation, legalize undocumented migrants and ratify the UN Migrant Convention.
Thanking you for your consideration and support, we remain,
Yours sincerely,
Rev. Paik Do-Woong
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in Korea
- Send a letter to:
1. Mr. Roh Moo-hyun
President
1 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu
Seoul 110-820,
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Tel: +822 770-0018
Fax: +822 770-0347 or 770-0001 / +822 770-2579 (for appeal)
E-mail: president@cwd.go.kr
2. Ms. Kang Kum-sil
Minister of Justice
1 Jungang-dong, Kwachon-si,
Kyonggi Province, 427-760,
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Fax: +822 504-3337 / +822 503 7046 (HR Department)
E-mail: jk.kim@moj.go.kr
3. Mr. Kwon Ki-Hong
Minister of Labor
Jungang-ro 1, Gwacheon-si, Gyonggi province
Republic of Korea
Tel: +82 2 2110 2114
Fax: +82 2 6494 6494
4. Mr. Kim Chang-kook
President
National Human Rights Commission of Korea
16 Euljiro 1-ga, Jung-gu
Seoul 100 842
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Tel: +82 2 2125 9700
Fax: +82 2 2125 9811 / 9666
E-mail: nhrc@humanrights.go.kr
Send a copy to :
National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK)
