National Human Rights Commission of Korea Held Presentation on UN Guidelines for Deinstitutionalization
On July 18, 2023, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (Chairperson Song Doo-hwan, hereinafter referred to as the "NHRCK"), in cooperation with National Assembly members Kang Eun-mi, Kim Ye-ji, Jang Hye-young, and Choi Hye-young, as well as the National Disability Deinstitutionalization Coalition and the Korean Federation of People with Mental Disabilities, held a presentation on the UN Guidelines on Deinstitutionalization (hereinafter referred to as the "presentation") at ONSO Square.
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) issued the "Guidelines on Deinstitutionalization, including in Emergencies" (the "Guidelines") on September 9, 2022, with the participation and consultation of more than 500 persons with social and psychological disabilities (psychiatric disabilities) and persons with intellectual disabilities from seven regions of the world, as the coronavirus pandemic increased the risk of persons with disabilities being isolated in institutions.
The Guidelines aim to provide guidance and support to States Parties in their efforts to realize the right of persons with disabilities to live independently and participate in their communities, in the context of global delays in deinstitutionalization.
The Guidelines identify key elements of deinstitutionalization, including that States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities should work to end all forms of institutionalization; support living outside all forms of residential care; person-centeredness in the deinstitutionalization process; respect for the choices, individual wishes and preferences of persons with disabilities; accessible community services; allocation of national budgets to support independent living rather than institutionalization; accessible housing; and respect for the diverse experiences and appearances of persons with disabilities.
CRPD Vice-Chairperson Amalia Gamio, who was involved in the drafting of the UN Guidelines on Deinstitutionalization, participated in the presentation via video, and CRPD Member Mi-yeon Kim attended the event and presented an understanding of the Guidelines and trends in deinstitutionalization in the international community. Disability rights civil society organizations presented the current status of deinstitutionalization and de-isolation policies in Korea, and deinstitutionalized persons made statements calling for the implementation of the government's deinstitutionalization and de-isolation policies.
