Friday, July 23, 2010

Seoul Protest March concerning the release of North Korean detainee Aijalon Gomes


Various NGOs and North Korean defectors have planned a press conference and protest at the UNHCR Korea Representative Office on July 26th, after which the group will then march to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul demanding the release of Aijalon Gomes, who has been detained in North Korea for the past 7 months.

Aijalon Mahli Gomes (31), who travelled to North Korea last January, is an American citizen from Boston, Massachusetts. He taught English at Choong-eui middle school in Pocheon from April 2008 to March 2009.  His colleagues said, “He was very friendly; he volunteered community activities; and he was a devout Christian.”
 
Mr. Gomes has shared the same human rights concerns as Robert Park and crossed over to North Korea via China on January 25, 2010; exactly one month after Robert Park went into North Korea.  

1 comment:

Victoria Hudgins said...

I'm not sure if my previous comment went through. As someone who has been writing on this for several months, I would appreciate being able to contact some of Aijalon's colleagues. So far, nearly everyone I've talked to will not allow their names to be used. Who is planning this event so I might interview them by phone? Which NGOs are involved? To date no human rights organizations have been interested in Aijalon's case. No one who personally knows him in the US, such as family and friends, speak on his behalf. In the US there are only about four individuals, of which I am one, who have consistently campaigned via blogs, on his behalf. What suddenly drew your attention? I'm curious to have some answers and anxious to speak w/someone who knew him.
Victoria Hudgins
http://www.peaceistheparadox.com/