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[Oral Statement] Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in South Korea

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[Oral Statement] Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in South Korea

익명 (미확인) | 토, 2016/06/18- 15:43

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32nd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 3: Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right to Development

 

Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur

on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

 

Oral Statement Delivered by Ms. Minjuwha Baek on Behalf of
People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)
Korean Center for United Nations Human Rights Policy (KOCUN)
MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society

 

Friday, 17 June 2016

 
Thank you, Mr. President.
 
My name is Minjuwha Baek, and I am the daughter of the 69 year-old farmer Namgi Baek in the Republic of Korea who was mentioned in the Special Rapporteur’s report. My father was targeted and knocked down by the police’s water cannon on 14 November last year, during a protest for the increase in rice prices. He remains in coma for more than 200 days due to severe brain damage.
 
The Government imposed an arbitrary ban on the protest, claiming it was not an assembly but a crime. They named the protest unlawful and not peaceful, even before it took place. The police arrested or summoned more than 500 protesters. This includes Mr. Sang-kyun Han, the president of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions(KCTU), facing up to 8-year imprisonment for organizing the protest.
 
The police blocked main roads and streets with hundreds of bus barricades and thousands of police forces, even hours before the protest. The police shot water cannons with capsaicin to protesters indiscriminately for hours.
 
No apology, No investigation, No justice.
The government of the Republic of Korea insisted on having a thorough investigation. For 7 months, all they did was summoning my sister once. If you hit someone who is not attacking you, you should apologize and do everything to fix it. Every human being knows this.
 
We want a sincere apology, thorough investigation, and justice for my family and for all.
 
Mr. President,
If you allow me for 5 seconds I would like to invite my father to speak for himself. (Holding Mr. Baek's photo)
 
Thank you, Mr. President
 

 

 

 

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안녕하세요! 환경운동연합 국제연대팀 노현지 인턴 입니다. 앞으로 총 4회에 걸쳐 유엔환경회의에 대해 함께 알아볼 텐데요, 오늘은 그 첫시간으로  국제환경회의의 태동부터 현재까지의 역사를 살펴 보겠습니다!

[유엔환경회의 교실]

1교시, 푸른지구를 위한 세계의 약속

[caption id="attachment_162081" align="aligncenter" width="640"]22881814432_a9929bdc8b_z ©Friends of the Earth International[/caption] 공장, 자동차, 일상생활에서 배출되는 탄소들.. 사라져가는 숲.. 뜨거워지는 지구.. 자원을 위해 파괴 되는 삶의 터전들.. 빈곤에 시달리는 사람들.. 멸종되어가는 동식물들..   우리가 흔하게 접할 수 있는 이런 환경문제들은 18세기중반 산업화가 전 세계로 퍼져나가며 세계 곳곳에서 일어나기 시작했습니다. 그렇게 생겨난 대기오염에 대응하는 시민들의 움직임이 20세기 말부터 전 세계 각지로 퍼져나갔습니다. 이러한 활동들을 제지하는 움직임이 지속되었지만 개발은 이미 사람들의 삶에 필수적인 부분이 되어 도리어 가속화되었습니다. 이러한 상황에서 환경을 보호하기 위한 국제사회의 움직임에 대해 이야기하려 합니다.   최종 위에는 1972년 유엔인간환경회의(United Nations Conference on Human Environmnet, UNCHE)을 시작으로 진행된 유엔 주도의 국제회의를 정리한 표입니다. [caption id="attachment_162041" align="aligncenter" width="567"]http://legal.un.org/avl/ha/dunche/dunche.html 출처: http://legal.un.org/avl/ha/dunche/dunche.html[/caption]  

•국제환경회의의 시작

1972년 6월 5일 113개국 대표들은 스웨덴 스톡홀름에서 진행된 유엔인간환경회의에 모여 “오직 하나뿐인 지구”(Only one Earth) 슬로건 아래 환경문제 대응원칙의 내용을 담은 선언문 (Declaration of the UN Conference on the Human Environment)을 읽었습니다. 이로써 국제적 움직임의 개막이 열렸습니다. 이런 적극적인 분위기에 힘입어 동년 말에는 유엔환경계획(UN Environmental Programme, UNEP)을 설립해 선언문의 이행을 체계적으로 촉진하였습니다. 중요 선언문 내용을 잠시 살펴볼까요?  

“…Conversely, through fuller knowledge and wiser action, we can achieve for ourselves and our posterity a better life in an environment more in keeping with human needs and hopes …"

“To defend and improve the human environment for present and future generations has become an imperative goal for mankind.”

  현재와 미래 세대를 모두 고려한 행동이 중요하다고 명확히 명시해 놓았네요. 이런 개념들이 추후의 지속가능개발로 발전되어 밀레니엄개발목표 (Millenium Development Goals, MDG)와 지속가능개발목표 (Sustainable Development Goals, SDG)의 같은 형태로 이어졌는데요. 더 자세히 알아볼까요?  

지속가능개발? 발전?

지속가능개발, 지속가능발전, 지속가능경영. 요즘 “지속가능성”에 대한 논의가 분야를 막론하고 논의되고 있는데요, 대체 이 “지속가능함”이 무엇이고 언제부터 시작된 것일까요? Sustainable Development은 한글로 '지속가능개발' 혹은 '지속가능발전'이라고 사용되고 있는데요. Development의 ‘개발’, ‘발전’ 두 가지 의미 중 개발을 넘어선다는 의미에서 ‘발전’으로 자주 사용되는 것을 볼 수 있습니다. 하지만 이번 포스트에서는 국제회의의 중립적 의미를 더 살려 ‘개발’로 사용하겠습니다! 지속가능개발은 경제발전과 환경 보전이라는 두 마리의 토끼를 동시에 잡기 위해 등장한 개념입니다. 이 개념은 친환경에너지로의 전환, 재활용품으로 만든 업사이클링 상품 등 여러 분야에 적용되고 있습니다. 지속가능개발은 1983년 유엔 사무총장이 환경과 개발의 공존에 대한 논의를 확장시키기 위해 설립한 ‘환경과 개발에 관한 세계 위원회’(World Commission on Environment and Development, WCED)에서 나온 개념입니다. 이 위원회는 1987년에 “우리 공동의 미래” (Our Common Future)보고서를 발표함으로써 지속가능개발(Sustainable Development)은 ‘미래세대가 그들의 필요를 충족시킬 수 있는 가능성을 손상시키지 않는 범위에서 현재 세대의 필요를 충족시키는 개발'이라 정의하고 ‘환경적으로 건전하고 지속가능한 개발’의 이행을 위해 노력했습니다. [caption id="attachment_162042" align="aligncenter" width="276"]출처: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36250681 출처: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36250681[/caption]

보고서에서 Agenda 21으로

위원회에서 발표된 보고서에 포함된 여러 권고들에 따라 ‘의제21’(Agenda 21)이 1992년 ‘유엔환경개발회의’(Rio Earth Summit)에서 채택되었습니다. 의제 21은 지구를 보호하고 지속가능한 발전을 위한 청사진이 되어 대기오염, 수질 오염, 사막화 방지와 같이 순수한 환경문제뿐 아니라 빈곤, 인구밀집, 국제 경제와 같은 분야까지 폭 넓게 포함하여 여성, 노동자, 기업, 비영리기구와 같은 여러 행위자들의 적극적인 이행을 권고했습니다. 더 나아가 1992년에는 유엔생물다양성협약(UN Convention on Biological Diversity, UNCBD)과 유엔기후변화협약(UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC) 채택, 1994년에는 유엔사막화방지협약(UN Convention to Combat Desertification, UNCCD)을 채택하며 국제 환경 회의는 분야별로 전문적인 논의가 이루어질 수 있도록 하였습니다. [caption id="attachment_162043" align="aligncenter" width="312"]출처: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36282594 출처: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36282594[/caption]  

지속가능개발에 대한 논의

지속가능개발에 대한 논의는 오늘까지도 지속적으로 이루어지고 있습니다. 1997년의 유엔환경개발회의+5 (Earth Summit+5)와 2002년의 지속가능한 개발에 대한 세계정상회의 (World Summit on Sustainable Development)와 같이 의제21의 평가 및 이행 촉구를 위한 국제회의가 그  예입니다. 그 외의 국제회의에서도 지속가능발전의 원칙이 내제되어 꾸준히 진행되어왔습니다. 그 예시로는 두 번째 유엔인간거주 관련회의(이스탄불, 1996), 군소도서국 개발 총회(뉴욕, 1999), 새천년개발목표(뉴욕, 2000), 지속가능개발목표(뉴욕, 2015) 등이 있습니다. 뿐만 아니라, 세계은행(World Bank), 유엔개발계획(UN Development Programme, UNDP), 국제해사기구(International Maritime Organization, IMO), 유엔공업개발기구(UN Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO), 유엔식량농업기구(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO), 유엔 인간정주계획(UN Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT), 유엔교육과학문화기구(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO), 국제원자력기구(International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA) 등의 다양한 유엔기구에서도 환경과 지속가능개발을 지지하고 있습니다. 오늘은 스톡홀름 회의부터 지속가능개발목표까지 국제 환경회의에 대해 폭넓게 알아보았는데요. 다음 시간부터는 1992년 Rio Earth Summit에서 채택된 유엔생물다양성협약, 유엔기후변화협약, 그리고 유엔사막화방지협약의 논의과정과 쟁점에 대해서 알아보겠습니다!
*출처
http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/environment/ http://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=571948&cid=46627&categoryId=46627 http://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=571953&cid=46627&categoryId=46627  
글: 환경운동연합 국제연대팀 노현지 인턴
 
목, 2016/06/09- 11:30
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115th Session of the Human Rights Committee
19 October 2015 – 6 November 2015

 

NGO Briefing on the Republic of Korea

 

Oral Statement Delivered by Ms. Gayoon Baek(People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy) and Mr. Youngsoug Chang(MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society) 
on Behalf of South Korean Human Rights Organizations Network (83 NGOs)

 

We are presenting this statement on behalf of 83 civil society organizations in the Republic of Korea who jointly submitted the report to the Committee. All the rights mentioned in the Covenants are our areas of focus.

 

Human rights were once a pride for Koreans. But today, we are grieved to present the report with shame. Civil and political rights in the Republic of Korea have been drastically deteriorating year after year. We fear that the Republic of Korea is reverting to the dark era of authoritarian regime that we believed to have overcome. One can easily find human rights defenders in the Republic of Korea, on the streets, on top of factory chimneys, in front of the court, and in prison. Sewol ferry victims’ families have been living on the streets to protest for more than a year, workers have been on a hunger strike for more than 45 days, and villagers have been protesting against the naval base construction for more than 9 years.  As we speak today, hundreds of high school students are protesting on the streets opposing the Government’s plan to impose state history textbooks, which is suspected to idealize past military dictatorship. The Government has failed to protect people’s civil and political rights and people are compelled to run to the streets with candles. 

 

Although rule of law, freedom of expression and independence of judiciary are guaranteed in the Constitution, the laws have been used as tools to justify restriction and suppression of human rights and people have lost their freedom after expressing their views. The judiciary no longer defends human rights defenders, and is no longer a safeguard for human rights victims. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea also cannot play an active role in monitoring implementation of the Covenant and we have a serious concern that transparent and independent selection process of the Commissioners are not yet guaranteed which brings doubts on human rights competency and expertise of commissioners. 

 

The number of people who have been charged and indicted for violating the National Security Act, which the Committee and other UN human rights mechanisms have repeatedly recommended to amend or repeal, has increased threefold in 2013 compared to 2008. Government officials and agencies consistently punish people for defamation  or insult  who criticize the Government, sometimes even those who state facts or simply express feelings or opinions. On the other hand, human rights defenders and social minorities become targets of incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence. However, there is no legal framework nor gestures from the Government showing any political will to protect them. The society is now at a critical juncture. 

 

People who gather to peacefully protest against Government policies or development projects are being arrested, detained and indicted. The police use excessive force against barehanded protesters to suppress assemblies, such as water cannons loaded with capsaicin and tear gas liquid and bus barricades to block assemblies. Even human rights lawyers and journalists have been arrested during protests. Around 550 people including family members of the victims were arrested during the Sewol ferry related protests from April 2014 to May 2015. We are not allowed to stand in solidarity with our friends, not to mention participating in assemblies. One worker who visited labor strike sites to deliver support statements has been punished for aid and abetment of Obstruction of Business. 

 

The Republic of Korea has the highest Internet penetration rate and the fastest wireless broadband in the world. With this technology, the Government is watching and intervening in people’s private lives. The police can identify those who are at protests by seizing and analyzing all phone call histories from the nearby base stations. Phone or internet users’ personal information can be seized without warrants, and such seizure is significantly increasing, amounting to about 13 million accounts in 2014 in a country with just 50 million people. Children under 19 years old must use mobile phones equipped with applications enabling the parents and service providers to monitor and remotely control their phones. 

 

We are also subject to human rights violations under the name of counter-terrorism. All currently pending counter-terrorism bills grant excessive authority to the National Intelligence Service (NIS) which is notorious for its abuse of power and human rights violations. The NIS systematically intervened in the 2012 Presidential Election by posting and tweeting 786,000 online messages. Also, the NIS was found fabricating evidence of an espionage case.   

 

In face of gross violation of civil and political rights in the country, people cannot gain full access to justice and are unfairly treated during investigations. Only 0.2% of investigators are indicted of maltreating the accused.  Even though lawyer’s participation is crucial to prevent such harassment, the police and prosecutor’s office arbitrarily interpret the Criminal Procedural Act to minimize lawyers’ participation. Generally, lawyers are limited in presenting their views during the interrogation and sometimes, lawyers are even threatened by the investigators.   

The human rights situation in detention centers is also problematic. The disciplinary punishment committees of prisons are not guaranteed of their independence and fairness, as the prison warden appoints members of the committee. Almost 90% of the actual punishment in the prison has been executed in the form of solitary confinement, which is the most severe disciplinary measure. 

 

In particular, children, transgenders and foreigners in detention centers are facing more serious human rights violations. Children are denied protective measures under relevant regulations in the criminal procedures. Moreover, detention centers have no guidelines on the treatment of transgenders.  Because of this, transgender inmates are denied underwear of their own choice and there was a case where a transgender inmate was punished for refusing to get a haircut.  Furthermore, foreigners detained in detention centers may be subject to indefinite detention due to lack of legal regulation on maximum detention periods. In the event the Minister of Justice commenced detention that is not subject to independent judicial review, the detainees are prevented from disputing the legality of the detention. The deportation rooms at Incheon International Airport practically function as detention centers since detainees are restrained from outside contact and denied access to attorney.

 

Recently in 2014, the existence of the DPRK Defector Protection Center (former Central Joint Interrogation Center) was widely known by testimony of one detainee. When DPRK defectors come to the Republic of Korea, they are sent to the center for interrogation, but nobody knows what exactly is happening inside. We do not know how many DPRK defectors are being detained for how long, and whether they are being deported or not. Access to the center is strictly regulated by the NIS. Also, there are some DPRK defectors in the Republic of Korea who wish to go back to the DPRK, but their return is not allowed by the Government on grounds of violations of the National Security Act.  

 

The military, where all Korean men are mandated to serve, is another blind spot for human rights violations. Almost 3,600 human rights violations such as assault and other cruel acts have been reported in the last five years, but only 1.4% of perpetrators were sentenced to imprisonment. The Military Court, which deals with assault and cruel acts in the military, is not independent because commissioned officers and commanders, who are not judges, exercise judicial power. Soldiers may be detained for up to 15 days in military prison as disciplinary action without a warrant and judicial scrutiny. The decision for detainment is not even made by the military court, but only by military superiors. 

 

When a country’s human rights situation regresses, marginalized groups become even more marginalized. Women, persons with disabilities, LGBTIs and people with HIV/AIDS, and children continue to be discriminated against. Since the last review in 2006, the gender wage gap still remains the highest among OECD countries and more than half of female workers are non-regular workers. The right to equal recognition before the law of persons with disabilities’ continues to be greatly affected.

 

We have two LGBTI friends in this room. They experience discrimination on a daily basis. They are discriminated against when they go to the police to report their annual pride parade, when they become victims of rape, when they want to enjoy same rights as heterosexual couples, and even when they want to set up an NGO to advocate their own rights. They are even punished under sodomy provisions in the Military Criminal Act. Persons with HIV/AIDS are suffering from stigma and discrimination when they receive medical services. The Government is turning a blind eye to this injustice and homophobic/transphobic groups who incite hatred against LGBTIs and persons with HIV/AIDS, and do not show any political will to legislate a comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act. 

 

Even though UN human rights mechanisms such as the Committee on the Rights of the Child has repeatedly recommended to the Government to abolish corporal punishment, it is still prevalent in schools and at homes. Examples of these punishments include staying down in push-up position for hours, repeatedly sitting up and down 100 times, or raising one’s arms above the head for one hour. These severe punishments can be explained in line with widespread military culture in the society. 

 

Finally, the rapid economic growth of the Republic of Korea has expanded the geographical boundaries of human rights violations. Many companies from the Republic of Korea are responsible for forced labour in Uzbekistan and violation of indigenous people’s rights in India. However, the Government does not provide legal framework for the implementation of extra-territorial obligations under the Covenant. Narrow definitions of human trafficking in the Criminal Act limit protection of victims, as seen in the incident of abuse of disabled men and homeless in the salt farm, sexual exploitation of foreign women, and exploitation of migrant farm workers.  

 

As is clear from our presentation, the Government of the Republic of Korea does not comply with the Covenant and does not fulfill its commitment as a member of the Human Rights Council. We do not wish to go back to the time when we could not speak out freely. To bring people on the streets back to their normal lives, we hope our areas of concerns will be reflected in the Committee's concluding observations. 

 

We thank you. 

 

Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee Fabián Omar Salvioli

 

Obviously a great number of issues have been raised, and I’m not going to give you an exhaustive list, but I’d like to highlight that we’d like to see the withdrawal of the reservation of art. 22, just as we’ve seen the withdrawal of reservation under art. 15; because we don’t really see from the dialogue why you need to maintain the reservation. Now your Excellency said that you are going to give the highest priority to the HRCttee’s observations and comments. So we very much hope that you will do this through effective mechanism in order to be able to comply with our recommendations and the provisions of the optional protocol, particularly when it comes to conscientious objection. Here the Committee has a very clear stance on this issue. And for me, I’ve had trouble hearing conscientious objectors described as criminals when really they are exercising a right. So, we very much hope that you will be able to comply with the provisions of the Covenant in this area, and also to ensure that the human rights provisions are aligned with the principles. And when it comes to the operations of Korean businesses abroad, want to ensure that they comply with human rights. Mr. Iwasawa raised the issue of equality and nondiscrimination when it comes to various groups of people, particularly LGBTI population. Counter-terrorism measures must also effectively comply with the provisions enshrined in the Covenant as Mr. Shany articulated in his concern. Regarding torture and mistreatment, this is another issue of concern, the use of certain protective measures sometimes as a form of punishment is not compatible with the Covenant. Obviously the right to integrity is crucial. Legal aid, access to lawyer, I would refer you to our General Comment 32 which provides very helpful guidelines for the state to be able to bear in mind the need for the exercise of defense. 

 

Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are crucial in a democratic society. We have had difficulties during this dialogue to ensure that this issue is fully understood. We very much hope that after this dialogue you will take legislative measures and other measures necessary to ensure that these rights are fully given effect to. Finally, groups that are particularly vulnerable that require attention, like those living with HIV, and the need not to stigmatize these individuals based on the various measures my colleagues referred to. And of course the migration population, due to their various situations, needs more protection in general in order to ensure that their human rights are guaranteed and upheld. I’d like to thank you all very much.

월, 2015/10/19- 08:46
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Police Raided the Citizen’s Network for General Election of 2016 for alleged violation of Public Official Election Law

21 June 2016

1. Background 
On 16 June 2016, offices and staffs of the Citizen’s Network for General Election of 2016 (Change 2016) were seized and searched by the police, for the alleged violation of Public Official Election Law. The investigated organisations include People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD), an NGO with ECOSOC consultative status, and South Korean Civil Society Organizations Network, which consists of more than 500 South Korean NGOs. They were leading organisations of the Change 2016. Below is the list of police confiscation. 


During the General Election of April 2016, more than 1,000 South Korean civil society organizations collectively established Change 2016 to conduct online blacklist campaigns and to encourage voters to participate in the election. Change 2016 conducted online campaign where voters could identify 10 worst candidates and choose 10 most urging pledges during election. Also, Change 2016 held a series of press conferences in front of the offices of the worst candidates selected by the voters. Below is the list of police confiscation.

 

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On 24 April 2016, Seoul Election Commission filed a complaint against Change 2016 for violating Article 93(1) and Article 108(1) of Public Official Election Law. The search and seizure of 16 June were conducted based on this complaint with search warrant. The latest attack on Change 2016 in the form of sudden police search and seizure is rather arbitrary and clearly has the ulterior political motive of threatening and repressing the works of the South Korean civil society. On 21 June 2016, the Commissioner General of Korean National Police Agency, Sin-myeong KANG, said as below at the press briefing: “Regarding allegations of violating Public Official Election Act, it is important to identify conspiracy and joint principal offenders, who actually initiated and instigated such an action. Therefore, we searched and seized relevant people’s house and offices as a minimum measure to find out abovementioned issues.”. 

 

2. Relevant Domestic Laws 
In the Republic of Korea, freedom of expression offline during the election campaign period (180 days before election) is not fully guaranteed. Initially, the law even prohibited freedom of expression both offline and online, but in 2011, the Constitutional Court ruled that this article is partially unconstitutional, and freedom of expression online during the election campaign period should be guaranteed. The law was then revised according to the ruling, but freedom of expression offline is still restricted. Article 93(1) of the Public Official Election Act reads as follow.

Public Official Election Act Article 93(1) Prohibition of Unlawful Distribution or Posting, etc. of Documents and Pictures
(1) No one shall distribute, post, scatter, play, or run an advertisement, letter of greeting, poster, photograph, document, drawing, printed matter, recording tape, video tape, or the like which contains the contents supporting, recommending or opposing a political party (including the preparatory committee for formation of a political party, and the platform and policy of a political party; hereafter the same shall apply in this Article) or candidate (including a person who intends to be a candidate; hereafter the same shall apply in this Article) or showing the name of the political party or candidate with the intention of influencing the election, not in accordance with the provisions of this Act, from 180 days before the election day (the time when the reason for holding the election becomes final, in case of a special election) to the election day: Provided, That the same shall not apply to acts falling under any of the following subparagraphs: <Amended by Act No. 5412, Nov. 14, 1997; Act No. 5537, Apr. 30, 1998; Act No. 6663, Mar. 7, 2002; Act No. 7189, Mar. 12, 2004; Act No. 7681, Aug. 4, 2005; Act No. 9974, Jan. 25, 2010>
1. Cases where any candidate or any person falling under any of the subparagraphs of Article 60-3 (2) (including the chief of an election campaign liaison office, in cases falling under subparagraph 2, and, in such cases, "preliminary candidates" shall be deemed "candidates") personally hands out the name cards of a candidate under Article 60-3 (1) 2 during the election campaign period;
2. Ordinary political party activities under Article 37 (2) of the Political Parties Act during a period, other than the election period.

 

Also, the Public Official Election Act Article 108(1) prohibits a public opinion poll as follows:

 

Public Official Election Act Article 108(1) (Prohibition, etc. of Publication of Public Opinion Poll)
(1) No one shall publish or report, by quoting, the details or results of a public opinion poll (including a mock voting or popularity poll; hereafter the same shall also apply in this Article) that makes it possible to predict the approval rating of each political party or the successful candidate in an election, during a period between six days before the election day and the closing time of balloting on the election day. <Amended by Act No. 5412, Nov. 14, 1997; Act No. 7681, Aug. 4, 2005>

3. Alleged violations raised by the Election Commission
1) Violation of Article 93(1) of the Public Official Election Law

The Election Commission argues that Change 2016 violates Article 93(1) of Public Official Election Act because we held series of ‘protest’ condemning specific candidates in front of the candidate’s office. However, it was not a protest but a press conference, and we never specified the candidate’s name or used his/her picture during this press conference. To avoid violating this law that prohibits voter’s freedom of expression during the election period, we used a board with a hole replacing the candidate’s name rather than explicitly mention candidate’s name. During the press conference, we used a board with a hole, so that we can effectively express our view without explicitly mentioning the candidate’s name, within the boundaries of law. 

 

2) Violation of Article 108(1) of Public Official Election Law
Legal and polling experts have confirmed that the online campaign that Change 2016 conducted was indeed not a public opinion poll. Unlike the usual opinion poll targeting specific constituencies, the online campaign on the Change 2016 website allowed people to voluntarily visit the website and reply to the online campaign, and it was a legitimate exercise of voter’s freedom of expression. Therefore, it is not appropriate for Election Commission consider it a public online poll. 

 

4. Human Rights Violations 
1) Freedom of Expression during Election Campaign Period
Although the Public Official Election Act in its present form severely inhibits voters’ freedom of expression, Change 2016 has been organizing its campaigns within the boundaries of the law in compliance with the opinion of the National Election Commission. Legal and polling experts have confirmed that the online campaign that Change 2016 conducted was not a public opinion poll. Moreover, Change 2016 never displayed the names and photographs of the candidates in front of their campaign offices. Although the present Public Official Election Act restrains voters’ freedom of expression, Change 2016 operated within the boundaries of the law. The latest attack on Change 2016 in the form of sudden police search and seizure is rather arbitrary and clearly has the ulterior political motive of threatening and repressing the works of the South Korean civil society.

 

2) Collection of information which was not specified in the warrant
While confiscating the office of the South Korean Civil Society Organizations Network, the police extensively collected information, which was not even specified in the search warrant. They seized two hard disks and one external hard drive which were not used during General Election period therefore irrelevant to the current complaint. Also, the police confiscated four bank accounts related to the works of South Korean Civil Society Organizations Network without specifying the search period. Also, the tablet PC of the Secretary-General of South Korean Civil Society Organizations Network was seized as a whole without specifying relevant files. 


 

화, 2016/06/21- 14:54
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난민의 날_1
Amnesty UK Front "Solidarity With Refugees" Demonstration
Refugees - Lesvos / Athens - March 2016
Don't trade refugees - AI Czech Republic
Actie Scheepvaartmuseum met boot uit Lampedusa
Stop The Deal - Lifejackets in front of the EU HQ
Don't Trade Refugees Action

6월 20일 세계난민의 날
“오늘은 전쟁과 박해를 피해 집과 나라를 떠난 사람들과 연대하는 날입니다. 지난해 우리는 용기있는 난민과 마음을 열고 그들을 받아준 사람들을 보았습니다. 그러나 한편, 각국 정부가 이 문제를 공동으로 해결하려는 의지가 턱 없이 부족하다는 것도 확인했습니다.전 세계 사람들은 난민을 돕고 싶어하며, 정부가 난민문제에 나서기를 원합니다.

우리는 휘둘리지 않고 이 문제를 이끌어갈 지도자가 필요합니다. 오늘 세계난민의 날을 맞아 정부에 ‘우리는 난민을 환영하는 사회, 난민을 되돌려 보내지 않는 사회에서 살기를 원한다’는 메시지를 보내야 합니다. 오는 9월 유엔난민정상회의에서 만나는 세계 지도자들은 이 메시지에 귀 기울이고, 이에 따라 행동해야 합니다.”
– 살릴 셰티(Shalil Shetty), 국제앰네스티 사무총장

월, 2016/06/20- 18:39
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20대 국회 입법·정책과제 제안 기자회견

2016. 5. 30. 참여연대는 20대 국회의 임기 시작을 맞아 20대 국회에서 우선 다뤄야 할 입법과제 69개와 정책과제 15개를 제안했습니다. ⓒ 참여연대

 

20대 국회는 달라져야 합니다

20대 국회 입법·정책과제 제안 및 국회 개혁 촉구


참여연대(공동대표 법인·정강자·하태훈)는 20대 국회의 임기가 시작되는 오늘(5/30, 월) 20대 국회에서 우선 다뤄야 할 입법과제 69개와 정책과제 15개를 제안하고 국민에게 열린 국회로의 변화를 촉구하는 기자회견을 개최했습니다. 참여연대는 20대 국회가 413 총선에서 나타난 국민의 뜻에 따라 이명박 정부와 박근혜 정부가 일방적으로 추진한 잘못된 입법을 바로잡고, 실패한 정책과 국가기관의 권한남용 문제에 대해 책임을 물을 것을 촉구했습니다. 

 

참여연대 국제연대위원회는 원조 투명성과 국제 인권기준의 국내화를 위한 입법·정책과제를 아래와 같이 제안했습니다. 


입법과제. 원조의 투명성 제고 등을 위한 「국제개발협력법」 개정

정책과제. 국제 인권기준의 국내 주류화를 위한 국회 특별위원회 설치
 

 

입법과제. 원조의 투명성 제고 등을 위한 「국제개발협력법」 개정

 

1) 현황과 문제점

  • 국제원조투명성캠페인 조직인 ‘Publish What You Fund’가 최근 발표한 자료에 따르면 한국 무상원조 기관인 한국국제협력단(KOICA)의 원조투명성지수는 전세계 46개 기관 중 41위로 ‘하위’그룹에 속함. 규모가 지속적으로 확대되고 있는 한국의 공적개발원조(ODA)에 대한 투명성 요구는 커지고 있으나 정부의 제도 개선 노력은 미흡한 상황임. 
  • 정부는 지난 2014년 3월, 국제원조투명성이니셔티브(IATI) 가입 방침을 확정하고 2016년 가입한다는 계획을 국제사회에 이를 공표함. 그러나 국무조정실 산하 국제개발협력위원회는 이에 대한 이행계획에서 정보공개를 순차적으로 실시한다는 기본방향을 정하고 IATI 기준 38개 항목 중 13개 필수 항목부터 우선적으로 공개를 추진할 예정임을 밝히고 있음. 그러나 13개 항목에는 기관명, 사업명, 사업현황 및 날짜, 수원국명, 사업대상지역 등 가장 기본적인 정보만이 포함될 뿐, ODA 사업이 효과적이고 체계적으로 집행되는지 확인할 수 있는 사업예산, 집행계획, 사업결과, 구속성(조건부 원조) 현황 등의 정보는 공개대상에서 빠짐. 
  • 또한 한국 정부의 유상원조가 대폭 확대됨에 따라 한국 기업의 협력대상국 진출 및 대규모 건설사업 수주 사례가 증가하고 있음. 대규모 건설사업의 경우 주변지역 환경과 원주민 주거지 및 공동체에 미치는 영향이 지대함에도 피해를 예방하기 위한 인권‧환경 세이프가드 제도는 아직까지 도입되지 않고 있음. 2012년 세이프가드 초안이 마련되었다고 알려졌으나 지금까지 시범사업에 적용‧검토하고 있다는 이유로 공개되지 않고 있음. 

2) 입법과제
① 국제개발협력기본법 개정 

  • 국제개발협력의 투명성을 높이기 위해 유무상원조사업 관련 정보를 국제기준(IATI 정보 공개기준 38개 항목)에 맞춰 공개해야한다는 조항을 추가해야 함. 
  • 국제개발협력기본법 시행령 제13조(정보공개)에서는 △위원회의 심의·조정 결과 중 중요한 사항, △국제개발협력평가 결과, △민간국제개발협력단체 등에 대한 지원에 관한 사항, △그 밖에 국제개발협력에 관한 주요정책 및 통계에 관한 정보를 공개범위로 밝히고 있으나, 공개될 경우 외교관계 등에서 국가의 이익을 해칠 우려가 있다고 인정되는 정보는 공개하지 아니할 수 있다고 밝힘. 국제개발협력기본법 시행령도 국제기준에 맞춰 공개범위를 확대하도록 수정함.(국제개발협력기본법 시행령 제13조) 
  • 유무상원조 사업이행에서 세이프가드 전면 도입 의무화하는 조항을 추가함.

3) 소관 상임위 : 외교통일위원회

 

정책과제. 국제 인권기준의 국내 주류화를 위한 국회 특별위원회 설치

 

1) 현황과 문제점

  • 유엔 인권이사회 등 국제인권기구의 권고가 구속력이 없는 만큼 정부가 권고 이행의 의지가 없는 경우 제대로 이행되지 않는 경우가 대부분임. 한국의 경우도 양심적 병역거부자들을 위한 대체복무제 도입, 포괄적 차별금지법 제정, 사형제 폐지 등과 같은 권고를 1990년대부터 꾸준히 받고 있으나 국내 사정과 일치하지 않는다는 이유로 아직까지 이행의 노력조차 보이지 않고 있음. 한국이 가입한 국제인권조약은 헌법 상 국내법으로 인정됨에도 이를 제대로 이행하지 않고 있는 것임. 
  • 한국은 주요 인권 규약 중 시민적·정치적 권리규약, 경제적·사회적·문화적 권리규약, 인종차별철폐협약, 여성차별철폐협약, 고문방지협약, 아동권리협약, 장애인권리협약을 비준했으며 아직 이주노동자권리협약과 강제실종협약은 비준하지 않았음. 
  • 한국은 2016년 유엔 인권이사회 의장국 직을 수행하는 등 국제사회에서 한국 정부에게 거는 기대가 높음. 유엔 차원에서도 유엔 인권이사회 10주년, 사회권, 자유권 규약 50주년을 맞아 국제 인권 기준들과 유엔에서의 권고의 국내 이행을 강조하고 있음. 한국은 4.5년에 한 번씩 국내 인권상황을 주기적으로 검토받는 유엔 국가별 인권상황정기검토 (Universal Periodic Review, UPR) 심의를 2008년과 2012년에 각각 받았으며 다가오는 2017년에 3차 심의가 예정되어 있음. 
  • 최근 한국을 공식 방문하는 유엔 특별절차 담당관이 늘어나고 있으며 이는 한국 인권상황에 대한 국제사회의 우려를 반영하고 있음. 한국은 유엔 특별절차 담당관들의 방한 요청을 언제나 받아들이겠다는 상시 초청(standing invitation)을 선언한 바 있음. 
  • 국제 인권기준의 국내 이행을 위해서는 행정부뿐만 아니라 입법부, 사법부 모두 국제 인권기준에 대한 이해와 이행 의지가 있어야 함. 현재 한국에서는 국가인권위원회가 옴부즈만의 기능을 하고 있지만 행정부를 직접적으로 견제하기 어렵고, 입법 기능이 없다는 한계가 있음. 
  • 따라서 국제 인권기준의 국내 이행을 감시하고 촉진하기 위해 국회의 역할이 요구됨. 실제 영국에서는 상하원 공동으로 꾸려진 인권위원회가 상설위원회로 기능하고 있으며 개인 인권침해를 조사하는 사안을 제외하고 영국 내 인권 관련 이슈들을 검토하는 역할을 가짐. 인권에 대한 내용 관련 국회 차원의 조사, 법안 검토, 인권 관련 법원 판결에 대한 정부 답변 모니터링, 그리고 국제인권기준에 따른 영국 정부의 인권 의무 모니터링 등의 활동을 펼침. 

2) (과제)내용

  • 국제인권기준의 국내 이행은 수많은 상임위원회 소관과 관련되어 있기 때문에 특별위원회를 설치해 행정부처의 전반적인 국제인권법 준수 및 인권권고 이행 여부를 안정적으로 감시할 수 있어야 함. 
  • 해당 특별위원회는 국회에 발의된 법안들이 국제인권기준에 위배되지 않는 것인지를 검토한 후 의견을 제출해야 함. 또한 각 정부부처의 유엔 인권 권고의 이행 상황에 대한 정기 보고서 제출을 요구할 수 있어야 함. 
  • 국회 내 특별인권위원회를 신설하게 되면 국정감사 등을 통해 주기적으로 정부의 국제인권법 준수 및 인권권고 이행 여부를 모니터링 할 수 있고 이에 대한 예산도 배정할 수 있어 국제 인권기준의 국내 주류화를 이루는데 기여할 것임. 

3) 소관 상임위 : 법제사법위원회, 정무위원회, 기획재정위원회, 미래창조과학방송통신위원회, 교육문화체육관광위원회, 외교통일위원회, 국방위원회, 안전행정위원회, 농림축산식품해양수산위원회, 산업통상자원위원회, 보건복지위원회, 환경노동위원회, 국토교통위원회, 정보위원회, 여성가족위원회

월, 2016/05/30- 22:41
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70 South Korean NGOs Concern on the ‘Sae-ma-ul Undong’ in the Draft Outcome Document of the 66th DPI/NGO Conference

 

10 May 2016

 

We, undersigned 70 South Korean NGOs, are deeply concerned about the draft outcome document of the 66th DPI/NGO Conference which describes the Sae-ma-ul Undong(SMU). In the draft document, it is mentioned that “Sae-ma-ul Undong (SMU) of Korea was an exemplary civic movement that had a significant impact in bridging the economic and infrastructural gap between rural and urban areas. In the 1970s it helped spark decades of national growth, contributing powerfully to the creation of a more equal and just society. We offer it as a model for poverty eradication and development in achieving Agenda 2030 in the context of global citizenship.”

 

The evaluation of SMU remains a controversial topic not only in South Korea, but also in the international community. Although there are claims that it helped modernization of rural areas, including by improving living conditions, some argue that it increased the dependence of rural areas on the government and that the rural economy has not significantly improved and remains fragile. Furthermore, regarding the “civic” nature of the movement, SMU was a forced mass mobilization project led by the state and a control mechanism to justify military dictatorship that emphasized monolithic nationalism and collectivism. Therefore, it is not fair to assess that the state-driven SMU contributed to “reducing economic and infrastructural gaps” or “creating a fairer and more equal society”. Above all, the description of SMU denies the massive social gaps and harmful consequences produced by the rapid industrialisation of Korean society in the 1970s, as well as the strong democratisation and labour movements that followed as a result.

 

In addition, we note with concern that such a 'positive' evaluation of SMU has been spreading systematically and that official development assistance (ODA) employing SMU has expanded extensively, since President Park Geun-hye - the daughter of the military strongman Park Jung-hee - took office. Currently, the government is actively carrying out a project to globalise SMU; however, we have serious doubts as to whether a case of development carried out under special circumstances, such as the military dictatorship in the Republic of Korea in the 1970s, can be uniformly applied to rural development projects in developing countries. The international community has already learned through experience that models of development that do not consider the political, social, cultural and historical specificities of the target communities are not sustainable. In effect, there exist criticisms by field specialists over the implementation process and effectiveness of ODA programs employing SMU, such as the lack of participation of the target community, preparations and planning according to the community's circumstances and needs, professionalism among field personnel, and sustainability. Therefore, it is of deep concern that such a model is being proposed as an exemplary model at an international level.

 

Therefore, we strongly urge that this paragraph be deleted from the draft outcome document, as it is based on biased and unilateral views.

 

For further details or media inquiry, please contact Ms. Gayoon Baek (Coordinator, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy): [email protected], +82 2 723 5051

 

* This statement is endorsed by below 70 South Korean NGOs
Catholic Human Rights Committee, Dasan human rights center, Democratic Legal Studies Association, Disability and Human Rights in Action, Gonggam Human Rights Law Foundation, Human Rights Center 'Saram', Human Rights Movement Space 'Hwal', Human Rights Education 'OnDa', Jeju Peace Human Rights Center, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Korean House for International Solidarity, Korean Lawyers for Public Interest and Human Rights, "Korean Networks of Human Rights Groups (42 NGOs: Alliance for Enactment of Anti-Discrimination Act, Ansan Labor and Human Rights Center, Buddhism Human Rights Committee, Catholic Human Rights Committee, Cheongju Labor Human Rights Center, Cultural Action, DASAN Human Rights Center, Democratic Legal Studies Association, Disability and Human Rights in Action, Disabled People’s International Daegu, Geochang Peace and Human Rights Art Festival Commission, Gwangju Human Rights Acitivites Center, Human Rights Education Center 'Deul', Human Rights Solidarity for New Society, Joint Committee with Migrants in Korea, Korea HIV/AIDS Network of Solidarity KANOS, Korean Coalition for Abolishment of Insecurity Employment, Korean Contingent Workers' Center, Korean Council for Democratic Martyr, Korean Gay Men's Groups 'Chingusai', Korean House for International Solidarity, Korean Progressive Network 'Jinbonet', Korean Sexual-Minority Culture and Rights Center, Labor Attorneys for Labor Rights, Migrants Human Rights Solidarity, MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society, Minkahyup Human Rights Group, Network of Accessible Environment for All, People's Solidarity for Social Progress, Samsung Labor Watch, SARANGBANG Group for Human Rights, Seoul Human Rights Film Festival, Solidarity against Disability Discrimination, Solidarity for HIV/AIDS Human Rights Nanuri+, Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea, Solidarity for Peace & Human Rights, The Committee to Support Imprisoned Workers, The National Council of Churches in Korea Human Rights Center, The Research Institute of the Differently Abled People Rights in Korea, Ulsan Solidarity for Human Rights, Won Buddhism Human Rights Committee, World Without War, Korean Progressive Network 'Jinbonet', MINBYUN - Lawyers for a Democratic Society, ODA Watch, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Rainbow Action Against Sexual-Minority Discrimination (25 NGOs: Chingusai – Korean Gay Men’s Human Rights Group, Christian Solidarity for a World without Discrimination, Collective for Sexual Minority Cultures PINKS, Daegu Queer Cultural Festival, GongGam Human Rights Law Foundation, Minority Rights Committee of the Green Party, Jogye Order Social Labour Committee, Korea Queer Culture Festival Organizing Committee, Korean Lawyers for Public Interest and Human Rights(KLPH), Korean lesbian community radio group, Lezpa, "Korean Sexual-Minority Culture and Riughts Center(KSCRC), Labor Party, Sexual Politics Committee, "Lesbian Community Group(Gruteogi)", Lesbian Counseling Center in South Korea, Lesbian Human Rights Group ‘Byunnal’ of Ewha Womans University, "LGBTAIQ Crossing the damn world (It means Totally Queer)", "LGBTQ Student Alliance of Korea(QUV)", Network for Glocal Activism, Rainbow Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Daegu, Sexual Minority Committee of the Justice Party, "Sinnaneuncenter: LGBT Culture", Arts & Human Rights Center, Solidarity for HIV/AIDS Human Rights Nanuri+, Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea, "The Korean Society of Law and Policy on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity(SOGILAW)", "Unninetwork)", SARANGBANG Group for Human Rights, Seoul Human Rights Film Festival, Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination

화, 2016/05/10- 00:33
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자유권 보고대회 웹자보 1

 

자유권 보고대회 웹자보 2

 

한국 자유권 대응 시민사회 활동 보고대회

유엔, 한국 인권에 대해 말하다

 

2015년 11월 25일(수) 오후 7시, 서울시 시민청 워크샵룸

 

지난 10/22 ~23, 스위스 제네바에서 한국 자유권 심의가 10년 만에 열렸습니다. 유엔 자유권위원회가 한국의 전반적인 시민적, 정치적 권리 실태를 점검하고, 한국 정부에 권고를 내리는 것이지요. 그리고 지난 11/5 "성소수자들에 대한 차별 철폐, 양심적 병역 거부자 전원 즉각 석방 및 사면, 평화로운 집회결사의 자유 보장" 등을 포함한 유례없이 강력한 최종 권고가 발표되었습니다. 


국제사회에서 바라보는 한국 인권 실태는 어떠할까요? 유엔에서 내린 권고는 국내에서 어떤 의미가 있을까요? 심의 대응을 위해 제네바에 다녀온 권고사냥꾼(!) 한국 NGO 대표단이 그 생생한 이야기를 전하는 자리를 마련했습니다.

 

흔치 않은 기회, 보고대회를 놓치지 마세요! I. CCPR. U.

 

 

프로그램 

 

사회 : 김태석 (대한변호사협회 국제인권특별위원회 위원)

 

자유권 대응 시민사회 활동 전반 소개  : 백가윤 (참여연대 국제연대위원회)

 

자유권 권고 분석

 

1. 차별금지와 성소수자의 권리 : 류민희 (공익인권변호사모임 희망을 만드는 법, 성소수자 차별반대 무지개행동)

 

2. 이주민 권리와 기업인권 : 정신영 (공익법센터 어필)

 

3. 표현의 자유와 프라이버시 : 박경신 (오픈넷, 참여연대, 고려대학교)

 

4. 국가보안법과 북한이탈주민보호센터 : 김기남 (민주사회를위한변호사모임)

 

제네바 현지에서의 만남들 : 홍승기 (유엔인권정책센터)

 

주최 : 유엔 자유권 심의 대응 한국 NGO 모임

문의 : 참여연대 국제연대위원회 (02-723-5051, [email protected])

 

보고대회 자료집 (자료집은 참여연대 국제연대위원회에서 구입도 가능합니다)

 

 

목, 2016/03/17- 12:04
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31st Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council


Item 3: Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right to Development

 

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism

 

Oral Statement Delivered by Ms. Gayoon Baek on Behalf of
People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) and
MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society

 

Thursday, 10 March 2016

 

Thank you, Mr. President. People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) makes this statement jointly with MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society, on behalf of 52 South Korean NGOs.

 

We welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism (A/HRC/31/65) and share the view that countering violent extremism must focus on addressing the underlying causes, while more repressive, security-based approaches would have the reverse effect. Counter-terrorism and national security measures have tightened around the world, which has resulted in undue attempts to illegally or arbitrarily limit fundamental rights and freedoms.

 

The Counter-Terrorism Act enacted in the Republic of Korea on 2 March 2016, is a disturbing example. The Republic of Korea already has an established system to address “terrorism” spread over various laws and instruments, including the National Security Act, Aviation Safety and Security Act, and Act on Prohibiting Against the Financing of Acts of Threats and Expansion of Weapons of Mass Destruction against General Public. While the long-standing criticisms and concerns on the National Security Act continue and remain unaddressed, as it is viewed to be a law that restrict the work of human rights defenders, the new Counter-Terrorism Act will only serve to further violate the freedom of expression and right to privacy.

 

The broad and vague definition of “terrorism” and “terrorist” in the Act can result in arbitrary interpretation. According to article 2(3) of the Act, a "potential terrorist" includes anyone "who is reasonably believed to have prepared, conspired, propagated, or incited terrorism.”, without a clear reference on the process of assigning and delisting a potential terrorist. This is particularly concerning, considering that the Government has many times labeled peaceful protests as "acts of terror" and a lack of a minimum safeguard for de-listing.

 

In addition, the Act strengthens the authority of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to an unprecedented level. Under the Act, once listed as a potential terrorist, the NIS can extensively collect personal information, including sensitive information and location data, wiretap, tail, and even apply financial sanctions. The NIS has been well known for violating human rights even before this power is given, such as the illegal intervention to the 2012 Presidential Election and false accusation against a DPRK defector of espionage in 2014. Considering that safeguards to manage and monitor such abuse of power are highly insufficient, we note with grave concern that this new legislation will be a tool to facilitate illegal intervention to people’s private life.

 

Therefore, we would like to ask the Special Rapporteur:
 - What kind of consultations should the State have with relevant stakeholders before enacting the Counter-terrorism Act?

 

Also, we would like to recommend the Government of the Republic of Korea:
 - Immediately repeal the Counter-Terrorism Act
 - Establish strong measures to prevent abuse of power by the Government body who is in charge of counter-terrorism

 

Thank you.

 

This statement is endorsed by below 52 South Korean NGOs:

 

Alliance for Enactment of Anti-Discrimination Act, Ansan Labor and Human Rights Center, Buddhism Human Rights Committee, Catholic Human Rights Committee, Cheongju Labor Human Rights Center, Cultural Action, DASAN Human Rights Center, Democratic Legal Studies Association, Disability and Human Rights in Action, Disabled People’s International Daegu, Geochang Peace and Human Rights Art Festival Commission, Gwangju Human Rights Activities Center, Human Rights Education Center 'Deul', Human Rights Education Center OnDa, Human Rights Movement Space 'Hwal', Human Rights Solidarity for New Society, Incheon Human Rights Film Festival, Joint Committee with Migrants in Korea, Korea HIV/AIDS Network of Solidarity KANOS, Korea Institute of Labor Safety and Health, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Korean Contingent Workers' Center, Korean Council for Democratic Martyr, Korean Gay Men's Groups 'Chingusai', Korean House for International Solidarity, Korean Progressive Network 'Jinbonet', Korean Sexual-Minority Culture and Rights Center, Labor Attorneys for Labor Rights, Lesbian Counseling Center in South Korea, Migrants Human Rights Solidarity, MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society, Minkahyup Human Rights Group, Network of Accessible Environment for All, Palestine Peace and Solidarity in South Korea, Peace and Human Rights Center in Jeju, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, People's Solidarity for Social Progress, Samsung Labor Watch, SARANGBANG Group for Human Rights, Seoul Human Rights Film Festival, Solidarity against Disability Discrimination, Solidarity for HIV/AIDS Human Rights Nanuri+, Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea, Solidarity for Peace & Human Rights, Supporters for the Health And Rights of People in the Semiconductor industry, SHARPS, The Committee to Support Imprisoned Workers, The National Council of Churches in Korea Human Rights Center, The Research Institute of the Differently Abled People Rights in Korea, Ulsan Solidarity for Human Rights, Women with Disabilities Empathy, Won Buddhism Human Rights Committee, World Without War

 

 

금, 2016/03/11- 03:41
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유엔식량농업기구(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO)가 로마에서 농업생명공학을 주제로 주최한 3일간의 국제심포지움 오프닝에서, 100개 이상의 시민사회운동 단체들이 다국적 기업농이 UN의 정책을 유전자 조작 작물과 가축 지원 쪽으로 돌리려 재차 시도하는 것처럼 보이는 심포지움의 내용과 구조에 대해 비난하는 성명서를 냈다. ©UNFAO

UN에서 촉진된 식량의 미래에 대한 기업의 비전

2016.02.16

La Via Campesina, ETC and Grain

  [caption id="attachment_156227" align="aligncenter" width="610"]유엔식량농업기구(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO)가 로마에서 농업생명공학을 주제로 주최한 3일간의 국제심포지움 오프닝에서, 100개 이상의 시민사회운동 단체들이 다국적 기업농이 UN의 정책을 유전자 조작 작물과 가축 지원 쪽으로 돌리려 재차 시도하는 것처럼 보이는 심포지움의 내용과 구조에 대해 비난하는 성명서를 냈다. ©UNFAO 유엔식량농업기구(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO)가 로마에서 농업생명공학을 주제로 주최한 3일간의 국제심포지움 오프닝에서, 100개 이상의 시민사회운동 단체들이 다국적 기업농이 UN의 정책을 유전자 조작 작물과 가축 지원 쪽으로 돌리려 재차 시도하는 것처럼 보이는 심포지움의 내용과 구조에 대해 비난하는 성명서를 냈다. ©UNFAO[/caption]

 

심포지움의 의제가 세상에 알려지자, 세계 최대 농민단체인 ‘La Via Campesina(농민의 길)’이 시민사회운동단체들에게 성명서 발표에 동참해 줄 것을 요청했다.  유엔식량농업기구(FAO)의 두 명의 기조발제자들은 GMO 지지자로 알려졌고, 그 중에서도 3일에 걸친 심포지움의 의제와 사이드 이벤트들은 Biotechnology Industry Organization (미국의 생명공학 무역 단체), Crop life international(다국적 생명공학기업 로비집단), DuPont(세계에서 가장 큰 유전자변형 종자기업 중 하나), CEVA(주요 수의약품 기업)에서 온 발표자들을 포함했다.

FAO는 GMO에 대해 공공연하게 비판적인 입장을 취하고 있는 단 한 명의 발표자 또는 페널리스트만을 초청했다. 더욱 심각한 것은, 오프닝 세션에서 두 명의 발표자 중 한 명은 FAO의 공식적인 입장에 반대하며 소위 ‘터미네이터종자(불임종자)’(GMO 종자로, 수확기에 죽도록 프로그램 되어있어 성장기 마다 농부들이 새로운 종자를 구입해야 한다)라고 불리는 것을 강력히 추진한 전(前) FAO 부국장이었다. 두 번째 기조발제자의 연설은 FAO 심포지움이 생명공학에 대한 비판을 멈춰야 할 순간이 되어야 할 것을 제안하며, “생명공학에 대한 잘못된 세계적인 토론의 종말을 향하여”으로 제목 지어졌다.

이와 같은 편향된 심포지움 소집은, 2014년과 2015년에 FAO에 의해 주최된 농업 생태학에 대한 차기 국제회의를 강화하고 있는 기업의 압박에 FAO가 굴복했음을 보여준다. 이 농업생태학 회의는 소농에서부터 산업에 이르기까지 모든 관점에 대한 개방성의 본보기였다. 그러나 생명공학 산업은 명백히 현재 그들이 조정할 수 있는 회의를 열기를 선호한다. FAO가 이러한 게임에 끌려 들어온 것이 처음은 아니다. 2010년, FAO는 멕시코 과달라하라에서 생명공학 컨퍼런스를 개최했다. 이 컨퍼런스는 농민들이 조직위원회에 들어오는 것을 막은 다음, 컨퍼런스 자체에 참석하는 것 조차 막으려고 시도했다.

시민사회단체는 성명서에서 “우리는 기업들이 종자산업 부문을 소수 기업에 집중시키는 추후합병에 대해 자신들끼리 논의할 때, FAO가 또 다시 같은 기업들을 대변하고 있다는 사실에 염려하고 있다”고 말했다. 

성명서에 따르면, 생명공학 전선은 아무것도 바뀐 것이 없는 실상이지만 기업들이 유전자 변형 농작물이 세계를 먹여 살리고 지구를 식힌다는 그들의 거짓 메시지를 다시 선보이기 위해 FAO를 이용하길 원한다는 것은 명백하다. GMO는 사람들을 먹여 살리지 않는다. GMO는 주로 농업연료와 가축사료를 위해 플랜테이션산업을 하는 소수의 국가에서 재배 된다. 또한 농약사용을 증가시키며, 농부들을 땅에서 쫓아낸다. 다국적 생명공학기업들은 지구의 생명다양성에 특허 내는 것을 시도하고 있는데, 이는 그들의 주요관심이 막대한 이익을 취하기 위함이지 식량안보 혹은 식량주권을 보장하기 위함이 아니라는 것을 보여준다. 다국적 생명공학기업들이 육성하는 식품산업시스템은 기후변화의 주요한 동력 중 하나이다. 많은 소비자들과 생산자들이 GMO를 거부하는 상황에 직면하자 기업들은 현재 GMO라고 부르지 않으면서 유전적으로 식물을 변형하기 위해 위험할지 모르는 새로운 품종개량기술을 개발 하고 있다. 그렇게 함으로써, 기업들은 현 GMO 규제를 피하고 소비자들과 농민들을 속이려고 시도하고 있다.

농업생태학 활동들은 성명서가 지적한 대로 “소수를 대변하기 위한 숨은 의도가 없는 지식교류를 위한 중심지로서” FAO가 행동해야만 하는 방식과 보다 가까워졌다. 왜 지금 FAO는 그들 스스로를 다시 기업주도 생명공학에 제한하고, 농민들이 가지고 있는 기술의 존재에 대해 부인하는가? FAO는 기아와 영양실조를 종식할 수 있는 가장 혁신적이고 공개적이며 효과적인 경로인 농민들의 기술 지지해야만 한다. 시민사회는 편협한 기업의 의제를 밀어 부치는 것을 중단할 때라고 말했다. “세계 농민의 대부분이 소농이고, 소농이 바로 세계를 먹여 살리는 이들이다. 우리에게 필요한 것은 소농 기반의 기술이지, 기업주도 생명공학이 아니다.”

“FAO가 생물자원수탈과 유전자변형작물에 대한 그들의 지지를 끝내야 할 시간이다. 이는 오직 소수의 다국적기업이 특허 내는 것을 허용하고, 존재하는 모든 생물다양성을 움켜쥐는 것을 돕는 것일 뿐이다”라고 La Via capesina의 대표 Guy Kastler가 말했다. “이와는 반대로, FAO는 농민조직과 식량주권 및 소농 농업생태학 부문에서 협력육종에 종사하는 연구자들을 지지해야만 한다.”

번역: 환경운동연합 국제연대팀 김혜린활동가

원문 바로가기: Friends of the Earth International, Corporate vision of the future of food promoted at the UN

월, 2016/02/22- 15:29
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11 January 2016

 

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
UN Headquarters
405 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
USA    

 

Cc : Zainab Hawa Bangura, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Rashida Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women
Pablo de Greiff, UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation, and Guarantees of Non-recurrence
H.E. Choi Kyong-lim, President of the UN Human Rights Council
Members of the UN Committee against Torture
Members of the UN Human Rights Committee 
    

Re: Clarification on the UN Secretary-General’s Position on the Recent Republic of Korea-Japan Agreement on Wartime “Comfort Women”

 

People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) is a non-governmental organization based in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (ROK) with United Nations(UN) ECOSOC consultative status. We are writing to you today to seek clarification of the Secretary-General's position on the recent ROK-Japan agreement on wartime “comfort women”. We express our concern on your recent congratulatory remarks on the agreement, because we view that the agreement was not made in a way to implement the values and principles put forth by the UN, which has emphasized a victim-centered approach.

 

In the official statement regarding the recent agreement between the ROK and Japan on issues related to “comfort women” from the ROK which was released on 28 December 2015, you welcomed “that the Governments of Japan and the Republic of Korea have reached an agreement,” and hoped “that the agreement will contribute to improving the bilateral relationship between the two countries.” Following your statement, the ROK President’s Office (Blue House) released a briefing on 1 January 2016, saying that you congratulated President Park Geun-hye, via telephone, on reaching the agreement with Japan, and stated that “history will laud President Park’s courageous decision based on her vision.”   

 

Yet, the latest agreement between the ROK and Japan hardly reflects the wishes of the victims themselves, nor did the process involve any participation by the victims. Lee Yong-soo, one of the few surviving victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery policy, harshly criticized the agreement, saying “The agreement does not reflect the views of former ’comfort women’. I will ignore it completely.”  Ms. Lee condemned the deal as amounting to “a second death of the victims.” The latest agreement indeed does not incorporate any of the demands which include official apologies, legal reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence. The victims have consistently put forward these demands since making their past agony public for the first time in 1991. According to the recent agreement, the Japanese government did promise to provide JPY 1 billion (around 8.3 million USD) for a new special fund to be set up for a foundation for the surviving “comfort women”. However, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, made it clear that the money was not legal reparation , and still refuses to recognize Japan’s legal responsibility for wartime sexual slavery. However, the governments of both countries have concluded that the latest agreement will be the “final and irreversible” resolution to the “comfort women” issues, thus inviting mounting criticism from inside and outside the ROK.

 

We would like to remind you that the latest agreement on “comfort women” does not even satisfy the UN recommendations regarding Japan’s wartime sexual slavery and related issues which were made in the past. Different human rights mechanisms of the UN have condemned the acts of wartime sexual slavery committed by Japan as “crimes against humanity,” and recommended that the Japanese government acknowledge its legal responsibility, make formal reparations to the victims, and prosecute the parties responsible for such crimes. During its review on Japan in July 2014, the UN Human Rights Committee noted that most “comfort women” were recruited by, transported to, and managed at Japanese military bases or agencies working on behalf of the Japanese military through force and coercion, and expressed concerns at the Japanese government’s continued denial that these women were “ever mobilized or migrated by force” (CCPR/C/JPY/CO/6, para 11). In August 2014, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination expressed its concerns that the Japanese government had not recognized nor apologized to “comfort women”, and urged the Japanese government to immediately conclude investigations and bring to justice those responsible for human rights violations (CERD/C/JPN/CO/7-9, para 18).

 

We would also like to point out that the UN and the international community at large uphold a consistent set of victim-centered principles and standards with respect to the rights of victims of human rights violations.

 

In February 2005, the UN Commission on Human Rights (now the UN Human Rights Council) adopted “Principles for the protection and promotion of human rights through action to combat impunity” (E/CN.4/2005/102/Add.1), followed by “Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law” (A/60/509/Add.1) adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2005. These two documents endorse the “victim-centered perspective” in international human rights law, and emphasize the victims’ right to justice, right to reparation, and right to know. These documents also stress as essential principles the need to give victims restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, reparation, and redress.

 

Since its establishment in 2002, the International Criminal Court has also stressed the need for victim participation in all phases of investigation and judicial procedures. “The Chicago Principles on Post-Conflict Justice 2001-2008”, which provide basic guidelines on the handling of atrocities perpetrated under authoritarian rule and amid armed conflicts, also emphasize: “Policies that seek justice for past violations should be victim-centered and should address victims’ rights to remedies and reparations.”

 

We note with serious concern that your remarks on "welcoming" the recent agreement between the ROK and Japan, and lauding it as a “courageous decision” by the South Korean President are not in line with the human rights principles and positions the UN and the international community have accumulated so far. 

 

We would therefore like to request your response to the following questions to further clarify your position. 

 

1. Do you think that the recent agreement between South Korea and Japan satisfy the UN-emphasized principles of the rights of the victims of human rights violations and properly address war crime legacies and past recommendations made by the UN human rights mechanisms to Japan?

 

2. According to the briefing issued by the Presidential Blue House of the ROK, you phoned the President of the ROK to discuss the recent agreement. Have you done the same with the Prime Minister of Japan? If so, what exactly was discussed or remarked in the latter conversation? If no such conversation took place with the Prime Minister of Japan, why have you had such a conversation with the President of the ROK and not with the Prime Minister of Japan?

 

3. The UN Secretary-General is obligated to make efforts to promote human rights in all Member States. Therefore, some argue that the UN Secretary-General should help invalidate the recent agreement between the ROK and Japan that seems to condone war crimes. What do you think of this argument?

 

4. Is the Secretary-General inclined to urge both the government of the Republic of Korea and Japanese governments to resolve the “comfort women” issues through official apologies, legal reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence from the Japanese state through processes that are actually based upon victim participation?

 

We thank you for your reply in advance and look forward to hearing back from you at the earliest possible time. If you have any questions or would like clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or +82 (0)2 723 4250. 

Yours sincerely,


 
Ms. Hyunback Jung
Co-Representative
People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy 

 

월, 2016/01/11- 10:24
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지난달 중순, 뉴스타파 사무실에 발신인이 적혀있지 않은 우편물 하나가 도착했다. 그 안에는 아리랑 TV 방석호 사장의 부적절한 해외 출장 등 개인 비리 의혹을 폭로하는 편지와 이를 뒷받침하는 아리랑 TV의 내부 문서가 들어있었다. 제보가 사실인지 확인해봤다.

2016020101_01

하루 60만 원짜리 호텔서 자고, 캐비어 전문점서 113만 원 결제

방석호 사장은 지난해 9월 24일, 미국 뉴욕으로 출장을 떠났다. 박근혜 대통령이 유엔에서 기조 연설을 한다고 언론들이 대서 특필했던 바로 그 시기다. 이에 앞서 UN 채널 수십 개 가운데 하나로 아리랑 TV가 진입하게 됐는데,그 덕분에 박 대통령의 연설을 아리랑 TV로 직접 중계하게 됐다며 사장이 뉴욕 현지에 직접 날아가 중계를 챙긴 것이다.

그런데 방 사장이 회사에 제출한 법인 카드 영수증 내역을 보면 입이 딱 벌어진다. 도착하자마자 뉴욕 메디슨 가에 있는 최고급 캐비어 전문점에서 113만 원을 결제하더니, 박 대통령이 연설하던 당일에는 스테이크 전문점에서 63만 원을 결제했다. 이밖에도 이태리 음식점에서 26만 원, 같은 스테이크 전문점에서 다시 31만 원, 한식당에서는 12만 원을 법인 카드로 결제했다.

2016020101_02

영수증 기재 동석자들, “방 사장과 함께 식사한 사실 없다”

공무원이나 공기업 직원들의 경우, 출장을 갈 때 식비가 따로 지급된다. 공적 업무 이외의 개인적인 식사는 이 식비로 해결해야 한다. 방석호 사장의 경우에도 하루 160달러의 식비를 따로 지급 받았다. 따라서 법인 카드로 결제한 위의 식사들은 모두 공적인 업무와 관련돼야만 하고 그에 따른 증빙자료도 마땅히 있어야 한다.

방 사장은 9월 24일 캐비어 전문점에서는 뉴욕의 한국 문화원 직원 5명과 함께 식사를 했으며, 9월 28일 스테이크 전문점에서는 유엔 한국대표부의 오준 대사와 함께 식사를 했다고 썼다. 그리고 9월 25일 한식당에서는 유엔의 한국인 직원과 함께 식사를 했다고 썼다. 그러나 뉴스타파 확인 결과 모두 사실이 아니었다. 방 사장이 영수증에 적어낸 이들은 하나 같이 방 사장과 함께 식사를 하지 않았다고 확인해주었다. 특히 당시에는 대통령의 유엔 방문으로 눈 코 뜰 새 없이 바빴기 때문에 한가하게 고급 식당에서 식사를 할 시간이 없었다고 한다. 그렇다면 방 사장은 법인 카드로 대체 누구와 식사를 한 것일까?

아빠 출장 따라다니는 ‘껌딱지’ 딸?

방 사장의 딸은 아버지의 뉴욕 출장 기간인 9월 27일과 28일 인스타그램에 3장의 사진을 올렸다. 뉴욕의 상징 가운데 하나인 조지 워싱턴 다리를 지나면서는 ‘우리 가족의 추석 나들이’라는 설명을 붙였고, 오래간만에 브로드웨이 뮤지컬을 봤다며 ‘강추’하기도 했다. 뉴욕을 배경으로 방사장과 함께 찍은 사진에는 “아빠 출장 따라온 껌딱지 민폐딸”이라는 설명도 붙였다.

2016020101_03

방 사장의 딸은 ‘기분 좋은 드라이브’를 했다고도 했는데 어떤 차를 타고 한 것일까? 참고로, 방석호 사장은 회사 돈으로 기사가 딸린 고급 승용차를 하루 70만 원 주고 빌렸다. 방 사장은 뉴욕에서 차로 한 시간 정도 걸리는 곳에 있는 유명 아웃렛의 식당에서 사용한 영수증도 회사에 제출했다. 유엔의 한국인 직원과 함께 식사를 했다고 적어서 말이다. 그곳에서 정말로 업무 협의를 한 것일까?

아들 유학 중인 대학 근처서 백만 원 넘는 의문의 식사

방 사장은 이에 앞서 지난해 5월에도 뉴욕으로 출장을 갔다. 특이한 것은 수행원이나 실무진 한 명 없이 사장 혼자서 출장을 갔다는 것이다. 방 사장은 이 때 역시 고급 식당 순례를 빼놓지 않았다. 최고급 프랑스 식당에서 95만 원, 최고급 이태리 식당에서 84만 원, 고급 양식당에서 56만 원어치 식사를 한 뒤 모두 법인 카드로 결제했다. 혼자서 식사를 했다고 보기에는 어려운 액수다. 그런데 당시 출장 때는 누구와 어떤 목적으로 식사를 했는지, 아예 기재조차 하지 않았다.

방 사장은 이때도 최고급 호텔의 하루 60만 원 짜리 방에서 잠을 잤다. 그런데 웬일인지, 예약 내역을 보면 성인 4명이라고 되어 있다. 예약한 방은 퀸 사이즈 침대가 두 개 있는 방이었다.

2016020101_04

정말 이상한 것은, 방 사장이 노스 캐롤라이나의 한 식당에서 법인 카드로 식사를 했다는 것이다. 구글 지도로 찍어보니, 방 사장의 숙소에서 이 식당까지는 차로 8시간이 걸린다고 나온다. 왜 뉴욕에 출장을 간 사람이 그렇게 멀리까지 가서 식사를 한 것일까. 더군다나 결제 금액이 무려 116만 원이다.

아리랑 TV 관계자들의 전언에 따르면, 이 식당은 듀크 대학에서 20분밖에 걸리지 않는 곳이며 듀크 대학에는 방 사장의 아들이 당시 졸업반에 재학 중이었다고 한다. 116만 원짜리 식사를 한 날은 5월 8일, 듀크대학의 졸업식은 5월 10일이었다.

2016020101_05

회사는 존폐 위기.. 낙하산 사장은 흥청망청

뉴스타파는 이 같은 취재 내용을 근거로 아리랑 TV 쪽에 공식 질의서를 보냈다. 기다려도 답이 없어서 방석호 사장 개인에게도 사실 관계 확인을 위한 취재를 요청했다. 그러나 아무런 답변이 없었다. 할 수 없이 방 사장을 직접 만나러 갔다. 방 사장은 취재진에게, 자신은 대답할 의무가 없다며 의혹의 근거를 대라고 말했다. 뉴스타파는 제보 받은 문서 가운데 일부를 촬영해 아리랑 TV와 방 사장에게 보내고 다시 인터뷰를 요청했지만, 역시 아무런 답이 없었다.

2016020101_06

방석호 사장은 홍익대학교 법대 교수 출신이다. 이명박 정부 시절 여당 추천 KBS 이사직을 맡아 정연주 사장을 불법 해임할 때 의결권을 행사했다. 이후 낙하산으로 정보통신정책연구원장으로 취임해 3년 임기를 마쳤고, 박근혜 정부 들어 아리랑 TV 사장에 임명돼 다시 낙하산 논란을 불러일으켰다.

아리랑 TV는 지난 1997년 700억 원의 기금으로 설립됐다. 기금의 이자 수익과 방송발전기금, 여기에 자체 수입을 더해 운영된다. 그러나 2003년 이후 지속적인 적자로 기금이 급격하게 고갈돼 현재 100억 원밖에 남지 않은 상황이다. 올해도 6,70억 원의 적자가 예상되며, 따라서 기금이 3,40억 원밖에 남지 않는 내년부터는 회사의 존폐를 고민해야 할 정도로 재정이 어려운 상황이다.

뉴스타파는 제보받은 문서를 토대로, 방 사장의 해외 출장비 사용 내역 뿐 아니라 다른 부적절한 경영 행태를 추가로 보도할 예정이다.

월, 2016/02/01- 06:00
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Situation of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association in the Republic of Korea

 

 

The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Mr. Maina Kiai, is officially visiting South Korea from 20 January to 29 January 2016. South Korean NGOs built a coalition and jointly prepared the Special Rapporteur's visit. As a part of our work, we published the English report "Situation of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association in the Republic of Korea".

 

 

수, 2016/01/20- 15:12
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16 October 2015

 

Urgent Appeal to
- The UN Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights

 

Re: Republic of Korea - Government-issued History Textbook 

 

Dear Ms. Farida Shaheed,

 

We are writing to you today to express our grave concerns over the announcement made by the Government of the Republic of Korea on 12 October 2015 that the Government will issue middle school history textbook and high school Korean history textbook from 2017. Currently, there are eight different types of history textbooks and they are examined by the National Institute of Korean History before being published. We note with serious concern that the Government-issued history textbook will result the history being written in a way to idealize the history of military dictatorships and indoctrinate people with a standardized history.  

 

The current Minister of Education, Hwang Woo-yea, said that “it was an inevitable choice in order to eventually realise national cohesion by ending social disputes based on ideological bias and to correct the history”. However, we are all well aware that it is a misconception that there is only one objective truth concerning history. In 1992, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Korea also ruled that “in the case of Korean history, it is difficult to confirm that one theory is an absolute truth, and when different interpretations exist with valid background, it is essential to present different views.” Article 31(4) of the Constitution stipulates “Independence, professionalism and political impartiality of education and the autonomy of institutions of higher learning shall be guaranteed under the conditions as prescribed by law.”

 

The Government-issued history textbook create more confusion and ideological conflicts in a society. Most historians announced that they oppose the Government-issued history book and refuse to be authors of the textbook. As a result, only Government friendly historians will be authors. In response to the Government’s decision, history and social science professors, teachers of elementary school, middle school and high school, politicians, 14 Superintendents of Education out of 17, and civil society organisations officially and heavily criticised the Government’s plan to issue official history textbook. In addition, on 12 October 2015, around 15 university students were arrested by the police while protesting against Government-issued history textbook. 

 

We would like to draw the special attention of the Special Rapporteur on this issue. As you pointed out in the report presented to the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly in 2013, the accreditation of one single history textbook is problematic and State-sponsored textbook carry the risk of being highly politicized. We would appreciate it if you could strongly remind the Government of the Republic of Korea of the importance of diverse history textbook and urge them to withdraw their decision on the Government-issued history textbook.

 

If you have any questions or need clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Gayoon Baek ([email protected], +82 (0)2 723 4250) at any time. We hope this will help in your work.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

CHUNG Hyun-back
Co-Representative 
People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy 

 

 

People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)
PSPD is a non-governmental organization based in Seoul, South Korea. We were founded in 1994 and has been working on promoting people’s participation in government’s decision making process and socio-economic reforms. PSPD has ECOSOC consultative status since 2004.

 

 

 

금, 2015/10/16- 12:25
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자유권 보고대회 웹자보 1

 

자유권 보고대회 웹자보 2

 

한국 자유권 대응 시민사회 활동 보고대회

유엔, 한국 인권에 대해 말하다

 

2015년 11월 25일(수) 오후 7시, 서울시 시민청 워크샵룸

 

지난 10/22 ~23, 스위스 제네바에서 한국 자유권 심의가 10년 만에 열렸습니다. 유엔 자유권위원회가 한국의 전반적인 시민적, 정치적 권리 실태를 점검하고, 한국 정부에 권고를 내리는 것이지요. 그리고 지난 11/5 "성소수자들에 대한 차별 철폐, 양심적 병역 거부자 전원 즉각 석방 및 사면, 평화로운 집회결사의 자유 보장" 등을 포함한 유례없이 강력한 최종 권고가 발표되었습니다. 


국제사회에서 바라보는 한국 인권 실태는 어떠할까요? 유엔에서 내린 권고는 국내에서 어떤 의미가 있을까요? 심의 대응을 위해 제네바에 다녀온 권고사냥꾼(!) 한국 NGO 대표단이 그 생생한 이야기를 전하는 자리를 마련했습니다.

 

흔치 않은 기회, 보고대회를 놓치지 마세요! I. CCPR. U.

 

 

프로그램 

 

사회 : 김태석 (대한변호사협회 국제인권특별위원회 위원)

 

자유권 대응 시민사회 활동 전반 소개  : 백가윤 (참여연대 국제연대위원회)

 

자유권 권고 분석

 

1. 차별금지와 성소수자의 권리 : 류민희 (공익인권변호사모임 희망을 만드는 법, 성소수자 차별반대 무지개행동)

 

2. 이주민 권리와 인신매매: 정신영 (공익법센터 어필)

 

3. 표현의 자유와 프라이버시 : 박경신 (오픈넷, 참여연대, 고려대학교)

 

4. 국가보안법과 북한인탈주민보호센터 : 김기남 (민주사회를위한변호사모임)

 

제네바 현지에서의 만남들 : 홍승기 (유엔인권정책센터)

 

 

참가신청 >> 클릭

 

주최 : 유엔 자유권 심의 대응 한국 NGO 모임

문의 : 참여연대 국제연대위원회 (02-723-5051, [email protected])

 

 

목, 2015/11/12- 15:47
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[보고서] 화학물질 피해 실태 시민보고대회

2015년 10월 12일~23일 동안 UN 유해물질 및 폐기물처리 관련 인권 특별보고관이 방한하여 한국 사회의 유해물질 및 폐기물 처리 관련하여 법 제도, 정보접근권, 인권침해 사례 등 다양한 사례를 조사했습니다.

이에 인권,보건,환경 분양 시민사회단체가 UN TOXIC 특별보고관 방한을맞아 한국사회에서 발생하고 있는 화학물질 관련 인권피해 사례를 알리고 사회적 변화를 요구하는 시민보고대회를 열고, 보고서를 발간했습니다.

 

 

월, 2015/10/26- 15:31
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