Professor Byung-Chul Hyun, National Human Rights Commission of Korea
Not content with a long and distinguished career as one of his country’s leading law professors, the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission has set out an ambitious and broad-ranging plan to foster greater respect for rights in South Korea.
Professor Byung-Chul Hyun, who was appointed to lead the Commission in 2009, says he wants to make concrete progress in a number of key areas, including in relation to human rights and cyberspace, North Korea and the worlds of business and sport.
“However, like all other human rights commissions, the number one priority for us is to ensure the dignity of each person in our community,” he says.
The former Dean of Hanyang Cyber University and former Dean of Hanyang University’s College of Law says there has been a growing appreciation of human rights issues among the Korean public over recent years.
“For instance, in just the last twelve months there has been a 30 per cent increase in the number of complaints to the Commission,” Prof Huyn says.
“Greater awareness means there are higher expectations on the Commission to work effectively and to address the issues that affect people’s daily lives.”
Everyday rights
A primary focus of his work as Commission Chairperson will be to promote and protect these “everyday rights”, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities, and to counter discrimination.
“We think greater priority needs to be given to these issues, even though they might not be high on the political agenda,” he says.
“It means not only ensuring that basic protections are granted, but also encouraging the State to develop policies and deliver services that support people to live with dignity and realise their human rights.”
An important framework to deliver practical results, he says, is through implementing the recommendations made to South Korea through the United Nation’s Universal Periodic Review process.
“There were 33 recommendations issued by the UPR to South Korea and we will endeavor to have them all implemented,” says Prof Hyun.
“That brings national awareness to these issues and gives us a platform to advocate for more action. It is absolutely crucial that we take genuine steps so that the lives of Korean people reflect international human rights standards.”
North Korea
According to Prof Hyun, one of the most painful issues facing many thousands of Koreans is their ongoing separation from family members following the 1950-53 Korean War.
Thousands of civilians were abducted by North Korea’s military during and after the war, while many North Koreans came down to the South as refugees and left family members behind, he says.
“Imagine what it must be like if you cannot talk or write to your mother, your father or your children,” he asks.
“Of course, these can be very sensitive issues to discuss, given the relationship between South and North Korea.
“However, someone has to take a stand and the Commission, as a depoliticised and independent organisation, is well placed to do this and to examine these issues purely from a human rights perspective.”
He says the Commission is currently developing a ‘human rights roadmap’ for North Korea and will hold seminars in different parts of the world to build international support, starting in Washington D.C. in September 2010.
New directions
Drawing on an extensive background in labour law, Prof Hyun is also keen to build greater awareness of human rights issues among Korea’s business community.
“This is a new concept for our country, so want to work with corporations and employers to ensure that they do business in a way that respects human rights,” he says.
Currently, the Commission convenes a monthly forum to bring together representatives from business groups and non-governmental organisations to discuss issues, ask questions and engage in dialogue.
There is a similar focus on ensuring that sporting bodies and administrators provide appropriate support to young athletes.
“Korea is one of the top ten Olympic nations and has many incredible athletes. However, in preparing them to compete at the highest levels, our concern is that these young people are not denied their basic rights, like the right to education,” says Prof Hyun.
Following activities and research in the area over the past two years, he says the Commission will soon develop comprehensive guidelines on sports and human rights.
Another major study will examine the complex interaction of rights issues in cyberspace, which raises questions of privacy and security, access to information and freedom of expression.
“This is exciting, cutting edge work,” says Prof Hyun. “We hope our work in this new area will generate valuable discussion in Asia and possibly other parts of the world too.”
http://www.asiapacificforum.net/news/professor-byung-chul-hyun-national-human-rights-commission-of-korea.html
