A bill on North Korean human rights expected to create friction between Washington and Beijing has been passed in the U.S. Senate and now awaits the signature of President Barack Obama.

A source from Congress said the bill aimed at blocking the repatriation of North Korean defectors in China passed in the House of Representatives in May and moved on to the White House after the senate's approval.

Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen authored the bill that explains the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors by China directly conflicts with United Nation's conventions on refugees.

The bill urges for the immediate halt of repatriation and that China uphold UN refugee responsibilities.

China does not recognize North Korean defectors as refugees and has been repatriating them back to North Korea ever since signing an agreement with Pyongyang in 1960.