Introduction /About the Commission

Purpose

History

Action Plans

Priority Tasks

Purpose

The Commission was established in 2001 as a national advocacy institution for human rights protection. It is committed to the fulfillment of human rights in a broader sense, including dignity, value and freedom of every human being, as signified in international human rights conventions and treaties to which Korea is a signatory.

* Article 1 of the National Human Rights Commission Act defines the    objective of the Commission as follows.

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the embodiment of human dignity and worth as well as to the safeguard of the basic order of democracy, by establishing the National Human Rights Commission to ensure that inviolable, fundamental human rights of all individuals are protected and the standards of human rights are improved.

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History

1993

Universal principles in the status of national institutions (Paris Principles) were adopted by the UN General Assembly, and the World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna made recommendations to establish national human rights institutions.

A group of Korean human rights NGOs that participated in the Vienna Conference called for the establishment of a national human rights institution in the government.

May 24, 2001

The National Human Rights Commission Act was promulgated.

Oct. 9, 2001

Inaugural Chairperson Kim Chang-Guk and other commissioners were appointed

Nov. 25, 2001

The National Human Rights Commission was launched.

Dec. 3, 2001

The Commission heard complaints in-person for the first time at detention facilities (Cheongsong Custody Office and Daegu Correctional Institution) and investigated an unnatural death case at Ulsan Detention Center.

Feb. 10, 2002

The Commission objected to the enactment of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act.

Apr. 1, 2002

The Commission moved into the new headquarters office and established the secretariat.

Sep. 14, 2004

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour visited the Commission and met with the Chairperson

Dec. 24, 2004

2nd Chairperson Choi Young-Do was appointed.

Apr. 4, 2005

3rd Chairperson Cho Young-Hoang was appointed.

Apr. 6, 2005

The Commission issued an opinion supporting the elimination of capital punishment.

Apr. 14, 2005

The Commission issued an opinion supporting legislation to protect irregular workers.

Oct. 5, 2005

The Commission opened regional offices in Busan and Gwangju.

Dec. 26, 2005

The Commission recommended the government to recognize the right of conscientious objection to mandatory military service and to introduce alternative ways to complete military service duties.

The Commission also requested the prosecutors¡¯ office to investigate the death of two farmers during the Yeoido demonstration rally and recommended that a reprimand be issued against the police officers who were in charge.

Jan. 9, 2006

The Commission announced the proposal of the National Action Plans for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (NAPs on Human Rights).

Jul. 24, 2006

The Commission recommended the enactment of the proposal of Discrimination Act.

Oct.30, 2006

4th Chairperson Ahn Kyong-Whan was appointed

2004 & 2007

The Commission served as Chair of the Asia Pacific Forum

Mar.2007-Jun.2009

The NHRCK served as Deputy Chair of the ICC

Jul.17, 2009

5th Chairperson Hyun Byung-Chul was appointed

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Action Plans

Commission¡¯s efforts are focused on creating a society where all members are treated equally.

In March of 2006, the Commission announced the National Action Plans for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights. The vision and mission set for in the Plan will guide the Commission for the next three years as it moves forward to achieve its goal to enhance the awareness of human rights in the Korean society.

Our Vision Is :

A World of Dignity for All

Our Missions Are :

	To monitor potential civil rights violations committed by state authorities;
	To monitor state authorities and private actors to prevent any human rights infringements;

	To realize the principles and standards in human rights set forth in the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and international human rights treaties and conventions to which Korea is a party;
	To determine human rights violations and make policy recommendations in accordance with the principles set forth in the Constitution, international law and international customary law;

	To nurture a societal culture respecting and observing human rights; and
	To foster societal understanding and embrace of human rights through education programs and public awareness campaigns for the fundamental advancement of human rights.

Our Five Goals Are :

To improve human rights protection for the underprivileged and underrepresented;

To establish human rights standards and practices consistent with universal norms;

To improve accessibility and efficacy of remedial action against human rights violations and discriminatory practice;

To foster public understanding of human rights by enhancing education programs; and

To develop the role and authority of the Commission in overall human rights matters.

In March of 2006

In March, 2006, the Commission announced the National Action Plans for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (¡°NAP¡±). The vision and mission set forth in the NAP guided the Commission in achieving its goal to enhance the awareness of human rights in the Korean society.

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Priority Tasks

Priority Tasks of 2009

	Commission's Five Priorities for 2009:
	¨ç Safeguarding civil and political rights ¨è Advancing the rights of children and the elderly ¨é Promoting the economic, social and cultural rights of economically vulnerable groups ¨ê Improving the rights of migrants in a multicultural society ¨ë Strengthening the anti-discrimination policies and remedies that pertain to socially vulnerable groups

Priority Tasks of 2008

	Commission's Six Priorities for 2008:
	¨ç Advancing the rights of persons with disabilities including the mentally disabled ¨è Improving the rights of migrants and their families in a multicultural society ¨é Promoting the rights of socially and economically vulnerable groups ¨ê Protecting basic political rights ¨ë Strengthening human rights protection in the information society ¨ì Developing policies on North Korean human rights

Priority Tasks of 2007

	Commission's Ten Priorities for 2007:
	The Commission has identified 26 key tasks for 2007 and named 10 of them as top priorities in terms of implementation and policy coordination. Commission¡¯s implementation plan for these key tasks addresses a range of protection mechanism for various groups of the underprivileged, including persons living at welfare facilities, persons with disabilities, the underprivileged subject to subsidy under the National Minimum Living Guarantee Act, and foreign workers. The top ten priorities for 2007 are:
	¨ç To improve human rights of children and adolescents (new) ¨è To improve human rights of persons living at welfare facilities (continued from 2006) ¨é To improve human rights of persons with disabilities (new) ¨ê To reinforce the right to survival of the underprivileged subject to subsidy under the National Minimum Living Guarantee Act (new) ¨ë To continue projects on human rights in North Korea(new) ¨ì To improve human rights of foreign spouses married to Koreans and foreign workers (continued from 2006) ¨í To develop guidelines to determine human rights violations and discriminatory practices (continued from 2006) ¨î To develop a comprehensive plan to improve human rights education (new) ¨ï To bolster Commission¡¯s role and standing in the international organizations of national human rights institutions (new) ¨ð To proactively express Commission¡¯s opinions on matters related to human rights (new)

Priority Tasks of 2006

The Commission's Ten Priorities for 2006:

¨ç To cooperate with the government to establish the National Action Plans for Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (NAPs on Human Rights) and monitor their implementation ¨è To recommend the legislation of the Anti-Discrimination Law ¨é To establish standards for determining human rights violations (social rights included) and discriminatory practice ¨ê To improve human rights of the elderly ¨ë To improve human rights of the enlisted men in the military and the riot police ¨ì To improve human rights of persons living in social welfare facilities ¨í To improve human rights of foreign spouses married to Koreans and foreign workers and their families ¨î To improve human rights of North Korean defectors ¨ï To advocate the legislation of the Fundamental Human Rights Education Act ¨ð To expand human rights education programs targeting social welfare facilities, private corporations, and the media

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