US lawmakers ask Hu to end NKorean refugees repatriation

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Fifty-four US lawmakers have written to Chinese President Hu Jintao to end Beijing's policy of repatriating North Korean refugees, some of whom are reportedly executed on their return home.

The letter, sent this week, was made public Thursday as lawmakers joined human rights, media, religious and other non-governmental groups on a Capitol Hill park to highlight China's alleged human rights abuses ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

"China hoped the Olympics would be their international house-warming party, but it has only aired their dirty laundry," Republican Senator Sam Brownback said at the rain-drenched gathering.

"The world's conscience has been building a drumbeat against the Chinese government as we approach the Olympics," he said.

The letter by lawmakers from the House of Representatives asked Hu "to end your policy of repatriating the North Korean refugees to North Korea where they face punishment, ...