U.N. works to free child prisoners
Published: April 22, 2007 at 8:04 PM
VIENTIANE, Laos, April 22 (UPI) -- The United Nations is trying to persuade Laos to reject pleas for the return of three imprisoned youth to their native North Korea.
The U.N. effort came after letters and photographs were smuggled out of a Laotian prison showing three orphaned prisoners -- a brother and sister ages 12 and 13 and a 16-year-old girl with a heart condition -- are being starved and beaten.
The Times of London reported that all three children fear they will be put to death if sent home, but the North Korean embassy demands Laos return the children. Negotiations with the United Nations are to continue this week, the newspaper said.
The three children were reportedly fleeing the dictatorship of North Korea, hoping to find a better life in Thailand. They were captured in Vientiane, the Laotian capital.
Refugees deported back to North Korea are often beaten, starved, abused and eventually slaughtered, the newspaper said.
The U.N. effort came after letters and photographs were smuggled out of a Laotian prison showing three orphaned prisoners -- a brother and sister ages 12 and 13 and a 16-year-old girl with a heart condition -- are being starved and beaten.
The Times of London reported that all three children fear they will be put to death if sent home, but the North Korean embassy demands Laos return the children. Negotiations with the United Nations are to continue this week, the newspaper said.
The three children were reportedly fleeing the dictatorship of North Korea, hoping to find a better life in Thailand. They were captured in Vientiane, the Laotian capital.
Refugees deported back to North Korea are often beaten, starved, abused and eventually slaughtered, the newspaper said.
© 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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