(2003.12.13)
2003 December 18
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)
2003 December 18.doc
