March 10- Calling for a rejuvenation of commitment by the Ministry of Justice to protect migrant workers’ human rights, a recommendation by the NHRCK was released regarding a recent harsh crackdown on migrant workers by the Ministry of Justice (‘MOJ’) in Maseok Furniture Complex. The MOJ allegedly exerted excessive force while searching for illegal migrant workers and caused serious injuries to the migrant workers who were fleeing to avoid the crackdown. Against this backdrop, the NHRCK concluded that these actions constituted a severe human rights violation and delivered recommendations that the MOJ should address the continuing use of excessive force, devise measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents, and provide immigration investigators with sexual harassment prevention education.
“Over 100 undocumented migrant workers were caught through the crackdown, for which immigration officers forced open the compound of migrant workers and inflicted injuries requiring surgical operations,” claimed Mr. Lee (male, 52) in his complaint that he filed with the NHRCK.
Through its investigation, the NHRCK found that the immigration enforcement officers broke down a door and forcibly took female migrant workers who had been sleeping to the police station. In addition, it was proved that no medical care was given to the victims who had received injuries during police pursuit and that female migrant workers were not allowed to go to the restroom. The NHRCK considers these actions a violation of Art. 12 (Freedom of Movement), Art. 10 (Right to Happiness) and Art. 17 (Protection of Privacy) of the Korean Constitution.
In 2005, the NHRCK delivered a recommendation to amend the Immigration Act to require the MOJ to monitor as rigorously as possible actions which limit freedom of movement and has since recommended that relevant authorities address assault and mistreatment by immigration enforcement officers and police officers.
