a United Nations investigator of human rights conditions in North Korea...

a United Nations investigator of human rights conditions in North Korea challenged China's definition of defectors as illegal migrants, arguing they were refugees whom countries had the moral obligation to shelter. In his report to the UN Commission on Human Rights, Thai-born rapporteur Vitit Muntarbhorn said North Koreans flee their homeland for two reasons - to find food and out of fear of political reprisals. Both cases fit the definition of "refugee" according to international law, he said. Illegal immigrants are those who can be sent back to their country of origin, while refugees are prevented from repatriation according to the international law, he said. Muntarbhorn also called for the end of torture, capital punishment and collective punishment, in which alleged dissident's families are also punished.