In response to recent developments and changes to international human rights mechanisms, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has organized an international seminar titled, “The Role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the Newly Established UN Human Rights Mechanisms” on November 15, 2007 at the National Human Rights Commission Seoul Headquarters, Conference Halls 1 and 2.
The seminar, organized by staff members of the Commission, aims to allow members of the international community to share their experiences and insightful criticisms concerning the role of NHRIs and the changing human rights mechanisms. The recent changes in international human rights mechanisms bring more emphasis and importance to the work of NHRIs in their respective States and in the international community, particularly with the United National Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Mr. Oh Byung-hoon , Director of the International Human Rights Team at the National Human Rights Commission of Korea will lead the Opening Ceremony for the seminar, followed by Opening Remarks from Chairperson Ahn Kyong-Whan of the Commission. Mr. Gianni Magazzeni, Coordinator of the United Nations OHCHR NI Unit, and Mr. Luis Alfonso de Alba, Ambassador of Mexico to the United Nations Office in Geneva, will both speak at the seminar’s opening.
The morning will be packed will workshops called ‘working groups’, with topics such as ‘National Human Rights Institutions and the Universal Periodic Review’, ‘National Human Rights Institutions and the UN Advisory Committee’, ‘National Human Rights Institutions and Special Procedures’, and ‘Reform of Treaty Bodies and the Role of National Human Rights Institutions’. Each working group will run for an hour, and all working groups will be held in Conference Halls 1 and 2.
Among the working group moderators and speakers will be representatives of the OHCHR, the ICC, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the Asia-Pacific Forum, and the Commission for the Convention on the Rights of the Child, along with the Vice Chairperson M. Righa Saleh of the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia and Professors from various international law schools.
There will also be a Plenary Discussion Summary and Working Group Presentation in the afternoon of the seminar, moderated by Chairperson Ahn, followed by a Discussion Summary and Closing Remarks from Chairperson Ahn.
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.
