The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) participated in the 12th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) held in Sydney, Australia from September 24 – 28, 2007. The meeting convenes annually to bring together APF members of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in the Asia Pacific region. The NHRCK delegation included Chairperson Ahn Kyong-Whan and Secretary-General Kim Chil-Joon.
During the first two days of closed sessions, the APF Forum Councilors elected the new APF Chair from the Australian Commission and Deputy Chairs from the South Korean Malaysian Commissions, considered membership applications from Timor-Leste, Jordan and Maldives, and received a report from Ms. Jennifer Lynch, ICC Chairperson, on the ICC Bureau Meeting held in Geneva. The NHRCK Chairperson Ahn chaired the APF Forum Councilors Meeting in the morning.
Following the closed sessions, a two-day conference opened to observers from government bodies, the United Nations and NGOs. The conference was held to discuss the activities of the APF member institutions, regional cooperation between NHRIs, and roles of NHRIs in promoting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities, among other issues. Mr. Gianni Magazzeni, Coordinator of the National Institutions Unit, delivered the address of the United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights, which emphasized the growing roles of NHRIs in UN human rights mechanisms.
The NHRCK Chairperson Ahn delivered his oral presentation on the Commission’s activities from 2006 to 2007 with a focus on its international cooperation efforts, and also chaired a session for Asian Pacific Governments Interventions. The Conference was concluded with the adoption of the Final Conference Statement, which includes concerns surrounding recent crackdowns on demonstrations in Myanmar and expresses the appreciation to NHRCK Chairperson Ahn for his notable Chairmanship in the past months.
This annual meeting concentrated on reinforcing the role of NHRIs in the Asia-Pacific region, reviewing and encouraging collaborative efforts and procedures within the APF and NHRIs. The meeting also provided an opportunity for NHRIs representatives to discuss human rights protection in the region and methods for increasing the effectiveness of NHRIs within their respective nations, including the ratification and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The Advisory Council of Jurists (ACJ) held separate meetings in parallel with this Annual Meeting, during which former Secretary-General of the NHRCK Kwak Nohyun presided as Jurist of the ACJ.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea was established in 2001, offering investigation and remedy services for Korean citizens and foreigners residing in Korea against human rights violations and discrimination. The Commission provides policy recommendations and remedial action against human rights infringements, collaborates with international human rights organizations and implements educational programs to improve the human rights culture.
