o The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea expressed their will to accept NHRCK’s recommendation to sign and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
o In January, NHRCK expressed its opinion to the Speaker of the National Assembly that the Special Act to initiate an investigation for victims of Brothers Home has to be enacted in order to investigate the case and provide remedy for victims. In addition, it recommended for accession and ratification of the UN Convention against forced disappearance to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Justice to prevent crimes against humanity by national institutions.
o Upon receiving the recommendation, the Ministry of Justice replied that it will push ahead with the accession to the Convention against forced disappearance given the recommendations of UPR, international human rights treaty bodies, and NHRCK, as well as new government’s will to respect human rights. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also replied that it will cooperate with the Ministry of Justice with regard to the accession to the Convention against forced disappearance.
o NHRCK believes that the Brothers Home case not only corresponds to the definition of forced disappearance under the Convention but also crimes of disappearance against humanity for the following reasons: inmates were forced to be isolated or housed without proper contact to their families; they were housed pursuant to Director 410 of Ministry of Internal Affairs and supervision and monitoring were inadequate; they were exposed to harsh treatment and forced labor; and the causes of death were not identified.
o Moreover, the Brothers home’s case is direct and indirect human rights infringement by national institution, and it is urgent to enact related act as there has been no identification of truth or provision of remedy for victims. A special act on this case was proposed to the National Assembly in July 2016, but there has been no progress.
o NHRCK welcomes government’s decision to join and ratify the Convention, and hopes for immediate enactment of the Special Act to identify truth and provide remedy for victims of Brothers Home’s case and prevent recurrence.
