Demonstration calling for Chinese government to participate in restoring freedom and human rights in Burma and North Korea

To mark International Human Rights Day, people from the Burmese community, North Korean community and many supporters are standing together to call for justice and freedom in both countries. Burma Campaign UK and Christian Solidarity Worldwide have organised a demonstration today in front of the Chinese embassy in order to ask the Chinese government to use their influence on both countries responsibly.

Since last year’s so-called election in Burma, many people consider that the country’s situation has improved and changed. In reality, little has changed, considering that there are more rapes, murders and conflicts in ethnic areas. Most political prisoners remain in prison.

In North Korea, there are more than 200,000 political prisoners locked away in several prison camps all over the country with terrible conditions and slave labour. Many children have been born in those prison camps and branded as criminals. North Korea is known as the country with the world’s worst human rights record.

“It is very important to remember that there are many human rights abuses happening in Burma and North Korea. People in both countries have known little freedom and basic human rights. The Chinese government should recognise those facts and use their influence responsibly to stop those terrible human rights abuses,” said Wai Hnin, Campaigns Officer from Burma Campaign UK.

Benedict Rogers, East Asia Team Leader at Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said, "The human rights violations perpetrated by the regimes in North Korea and Burma rank among the worst in the world. Both regimes stand accused of crimes against humanity. For that reason, as we remember the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the international community should take action to end the reign of terror in North Korea and Burma, seek the release of all prisoners of conscience, an end to slave labour, torture, rape and killings in both countries. China’s influence on both North Korea and Burma is significant, and therefore we are appealing to China to use its influence responsibly, and urge both regimes to stop their crimes against humanity."