On 27 April 2021, the Coalition for Genocide Response joined Lord Alton of Liverpool and the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) to discuss the issue of human trafficking of North Korean women to China and its links to genocide.
Reportedly, tens of thousands of North Korean women and girls are being trafficked into China and sold into the sex trade. The business of the sale of North Korean women is worth an estimated $105 million annually. It is a business that will not cease on its own.
The trafficking of North Korean women to China is followed by several crimes. Reports suggest that once trafficked, North Korean women in China are subjected to systematic rape, sexual slavery, sexual abuse, prostitution, cybersex, forced marriage and forced pregnancy.
When caught, these women would be returned to North Korea where they would face appalling treatment. Where North Korean women are pregnant with Chinese men, they would be subjected to forced abortion in North Korea. Infanticide is not uncommon either.
In 2014, Hogan Lovells published their legal opinion, suggesting that the practice of forced abortions and infanticide of half-Chinese children may amount to genocide. Seven years later, this practice continues.
The panellist discussed the issue of trafficking and associated crimes and consider what can be done to address the issue. Speakers included:
Lord Alton of Liverpool, Crossbench Peer at the UK House of Lords, Co-chair of the APPG on North Korea and patron of the Coalition for Genocide Response
Greg Scarlatoiu, Executive Director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea
Jihyun Park, North Korean defector and Human Rights Activist.
Watch it here:
