January
15, 2004
For
your reference, below is a sample support letter. We urge
you to adapt the contents into your own words and send you letter
to the UNHCR offices listed at the bottom of this page.
Dear
UNHCR Staff,
I
have learned that yet another Japanese humanitarian aid worker,
Takayuki Noguchi, was arrested together with a Chinese interpreter
last month while trying to help two North Korean defectors in
Nanning, China. I am deeply saddened that, after more than one
month, they are still being detained.
I
know that it should be the job of UNHCR to help those North Korean
people qualified as refugees. But such tragedies as this continue
to happen because UNHCR has not yet begun fulfilling its mandate
to rescue North Korean defectors.
I
was deeply moved by the words of Mr. Noguchi. From jail, he reportedly
insisted that he did not mind staying in detention until the North
Korean refugees are safely released to a country of their choice.
Nearly
all the aid workers risk their lives, I believe, to help the North
Koreans, without receiving a bit of compensation. The UNHCR, meanwhile,
receives what we understand are huge donations from many countries,
including those in Europe, North America and Japan. Would you
kindly show specific activities being carried out or planned by
the UNHCR to help North Korean refugees?
I
am convinced that you, as a UNHCR member, are also moved by the
same fundamental humanitarian urges that drive those aid workers
to risk danger to help people in great suffering. I am sure that
you believe, as they do, that it is a tragedy to ignore a single
person needing help.
Individuals
and citizen volunteers are limited in what they can do. That is
why I strongly urge you to seriously address this issue since
your organization has the legal right –- a mandate in fact
–- to negotiate with the Chinese government.
I
understand that the agreement concluded in 1995 between China
and UNHCR states that UNHCR staff are entitled to unimpeded access
to refugees in China.
Please
move now to stop China’s wholesale arrest of North Korean
refugees and humanitarian aid workers. Boldly initiate rightful
procedures for mandatory binding arbitration and halt the growing
flood of arrests. I urge UNHCR to take action immediately to save
the North Korean refugees and the aid workers still being detained
in China.
Sincerely
yours,
Your name
here
Mail your
letters of support to:
UNHCR
Beijing Office:
NGAOTHEP@unhcr.ch
UNHCR
Tokyo Office:
jpnto@unhcr.ch
UNHCR
International Headquarters:
hqpioo@unhcr.ch
