Using Foul Language Violates the Rights to Human Dignity (03-14-2003)
The National Human Rights Commission strongly recommended a medical officer at Incheon Detention Center to undergo human rights education and correct his behavior. Mr. Lee, 28, an inmate at Incheon Detention Center at the time, filed a petition with the NHRC in June 2002 accusing medical officer Eun of violating his human rights by "using foul language while giving treatment." In addition, the NHRC advised the Incheon Detention Center warden to better manage and supervise his staff.
Petitioner Lee received medical treatment by medical officer Eun for a skin allergy that had worsened during his time at Incheon Detention Center. According to Lee, the medical officer verbally abused him by saying, "There"s nothing I can do for you," "Get the hell out or transfer to another prison," which embarrassed and shamed Lee as well as other inmates.
The NHRC conducted additional investigation into Incheon Detention Center"s medical center by randomly selecting other inmates who received treatment. It was discovered that other inmates besides Lee experienced the same treatment, complaining the medical officer frequently abused inmates by making statements such as, "if you take this medicine you will live longer, so don"t take it and just die," or telling inmates suffering from pain, "hey, just deal with it."
In addition, during the NHRC investigation, the medical officer Eun told NHRC investigators, "Those inmates don"t deserve to have their human rights protected," "I don"t have time for this, doesn"t the NHRC have better things to do than take care of worthless trash?" and "we don"t listen to them on purpose so we can train them," which showed that Eun had inappropriate awareness of his duties as a corrections officer.
The results of the NHRC investigation showed that there are over 2000 inmates at Incheon Detention Center, but only 5 medical staff including 2 doctors and 3 nurses. Notwithstanding the lack of medical staff, the NHRC still concluded, "the medical officer"s foul language and insincere attitude violated Article 10 of the Constitution (the right to human dignity and pursuit of happiness); did not comply with Article 1-3 of the Criminal Administration Act that clearly states "the fundamental human rights of convicted prisoners or unconvicted prisoners shall…be respected to the utmost."
