November 25- The NHRCK marked its 8th anniversary on November 25. Established in 2001, the NHRCK has protected and promoted human rights in Korean society as a national human rights institution.
According to the NHRCK, a total of 264,717 cases were filed regarding human rights violation and discrimination from 2001 to October this year: 40,791 complaints, 79,457 counseling sessions and 144,469 inquiries and civil applications.
According to the types of complaints, human rights violation, discrimination and others stood at 79%, 16.5% and 4.5%, respectively. Among the complaints regarding human rights violations, there have been complaints on detention facilities(42.3%), polices(22.3%), governmental institutions(12%), group protective facilities(8.4%), local governmental institutions(4.9%) and prosecutors(4.7%). Regarding discrimination, the cases were about persons with disabilities(27%), others(18.8%), social position(14.7%), sexual harassment(9.2%), age(7.7%) and gender(4.7%).
In particular, complaints regarding human rights violation in group protective facilities and discrimination against persons with disabilities have significantly increased. “Concern over the human rights of persons with disabilities has increased since the enactment of the Disability Discrimination Act,” the NHRCK stated.
This year, the NRHCK promoted five strategic goals with one special project, aiming at achieving “An advanced human rights society that complies with the international human rights standard,” as part of “2009-2010 Action Plans for the Promotion of Human Rights.” The five strategic goals are △ safeguarding civil and political rights △ advancing rights of the child and the elderly △ promoting economic, social and cultural rights of economically vulnerable groups △ improving migrants’ rights in a multicultural society and, △ strengthening anti-discrimination policies and remedies for socially vulnerable groups. A special project aims at the improvement of human rights in North Korea.
