The European Parliament has adopted a resolution urging Thailand not to repatriate North Korean illegal aliens back to the North.

The American human rights group Freedom House said the resolution urged Bangkok to discuss sending the escapees to the countries of their choice with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, and other global agencies after their month-long detention ends.

Citing Bangkok's traditionally warm treatment of defectors, the resolution also urges countries who can accept the refugees to announce their intent as early as possible.

The European Commission is also being urged to cooperate with the United Nations in keeping a tab on the defectors' situation and providing financial assistance if necessary.

The declaration also urged the commission to raise the refugees' plight at the Asia-Europe Meeting in Finland.