This week, the focus in my life has been on refugees.
North Korean Freedom Week (http://www.nkfreedom.org/) is happening here in Washington, DC. The entire week’s events are rather astonishing, including a breathtaking North Korean Genocide Exhibit (Eunice and I visited it this morning), a big rally on Friday at noon, protests at China’s embassy, prayer vigils, panels, documentary screenings, Congressional hearings, and more. This event has a lot of bi-partisan, diverse support from capitol hill bloggers to social justice Christian organizations to former CIA staff and more. The reason why? This issue is about human life — North Korean refugees, fleeing their country in search of food and freedom, and what they are willing to sacrifice for that dream. I have heard stories of refugees crossing frozen rivers with rat poison pills in their pockets to ingest if they get caught by soldiers. There are stories of starvation, torture, cannibalism, and public execution under Kim Jong-Il’s regime. Refugees who make it to China are often caught and then repatriated back into North Korea, where they face prison camps, torture, or death. It’s a ridiculously evil situation… and yet there are pastors and people of faith who risk everything to try to get these refugees to safety. Many of these pastors have been caught and are now in Chinese or North Korean prisons (or worse). Meanwhile, the US enjoys a vibrant trade relationship with China. Beijing will be the next host of the Olympics. All of this doesn’t fit together well for me as a Christian…
Another issue of equal importance — I was very privileged to attend a panel discussion Sunday at Southpoint Christian Church in Indianapolis, IN last Sunday. Krista Johnson, the amazing young adult Disciple leader, organized a wonderful presentation about refugees and the “material support” clause in the Patriot Act. At times, the US is denying refugee status to some seekers, fleeing violence and abhorrent human rights situations, due to the fact that they may have provided support to terrorist organizations. First of all, the definition of a terrorist organization is a rather flimsy one, but even with that, the clause does not take into account the complexity of their lives. In some cases, the refugees were forced to assist or aid these organizations at gunpoint or under violent threat. In other cases, a family member that may or may not belong to an organization had stayed over night at the individual’s house. Even such a simple act of hospitality can be construed as aiding a terrorist organization. The situations in these countries, like Burma and Columbia, are very complex — often, individuals, like most of us, would do anything to protect our lives and the lives of our families. In return, the US considers this as evidence that the refugee has supported terrorists and will not allow them to seek asylum (whereas other countries will). You can find more information here (and get involved): http://uscri.refugees.org/terror_law
Start by praying for them. Then, write letters to Senators, Congressmen, Ambassadors, and others. Then, live a life that takes a stand against this kind of violence and injustice in our world.
Related Links (here is some additional information):
