The Day of people with disabilities is celebrated every year on April 20. Looking back at how society has treated people with disabilities for such a long period of time, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) realizes that it has so many works to undertake.
Reading the declaration of the Constitution, “The people shall be assured of their human worth and dignity and the people shall be treated as equals before the law,” and the International Human Rights Act, the hardships that people with disabilities experience is a great burden for the NHRCK. It is clear that human rights for people with disabilities have been significantly improved in many fields compared to the past and the integration of people with disabilities in society has been much more active; however, we still have a long way to go compared to other advanced countries. A clear example of this point is that the complaint against discrimination of people with disabilities is the second highest in number from all of the complaints related to the discrimination received by the NHRCK in 2001.
Everyone should have equal basic rights and be treated with dignity respect as human beings. However, looking back of our reality, there are still barriers that cannot be overcome with the efforts of people with disabilities alone. Improvement of law and system, and others are such a case. The NHRCK has a noble mission and is working hard for close cooperation with society to improve life for people with disabilities.
In order for people with disabilities to live comfortable lives, the government has a lot of work to do. That is not the benefit or charity that our society would provide to people with disabilities. This is the right naturally available for people with disabilities and is the obligation of the state and the society. If we are not actively placing the efforts to live together with the active consideration of the socially vulnerable class without discrimination, true social integration would be that much distance away from our society.
Fortunately, we have accomplished much in the improvement of human rights for people with disabilities this year. In March, ‘the Disability Discrimination Act’ was enacted and the International Disabled Rights Agreement, which is also called ‘The Bill of Rights for people with disabilities,’ has been adopted. And a service system for the improvement has been introduced as the supporting means. People with disabilities have great efforts to improve the current issues to accomplish such a valuable fruition, and the NHRCK is proud to be part of such a great cause.
‘The Disability Discrimination Act’ is expected to be an important turning point in the promotion of rights of people with disabilities. In order to overcome the prejudiced views held by society, this is the time to put together our wisdom again to lead the Disability Discrimination Act into the human rights improvement. We must enact the enforcement decree rules to resolve the long-desired hope of people with disabilities. The NHRCK is committed to listening to the voices of people with disabilities and launch ‘the subcommittee for disability discrimination remedy’ to duly undertake its tasks.
Today, on the Day of people with disabilities, we wish to express our deepest respect for every disabled citizen and also wish to express our appreciation for everyone involved in human rights organizations who have devoted so much of their time on improving human rights for people with disabilities.
April 20, 2007
Chief Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea Ahn Kyong-Hwan
