The National Human Rights Commission (NHRCK) released an English version of the Commission’s operational activities in 2006 in September 2007, marking the 5th anniversary of the inauguration of the National Human Rights Commission in Seoul, South Korea.
Along with highlighting major complaints filed and their respective resolutions, the 2006 Annual Report provides an overview of the budget, educational initiatives in the public and private sectors, major influences in national and local legislation and the Commission’s recent structural reorganization and international cooperation. Activities of the Busan, Gwangju are also outlined in the 2006 Annual Report.
During 2006, the Commission accepted 4,187 petitions for investigation. Over 3,334 of these cases fell under human rights violations, accounting for 80% of all petitions received. Owing to the increasing awareness of the Commission in Korean society, the number of discrimination petitions also increased from 19.2% of all petitions in 2005 to 19.7% of all petitions received in 2006.
Major human rights violation cases from 2006:
- The case of labor union member Jung-geun Ha, who died during a demonstration by Pohang labor unions.
- Cases in which servicemen died or were under medical treatment immediately preceding discharge from military service, specifically including one reserve sergeant named Roh.
- Cases of corrective institutions nationwide abolishing the holiday visiting system after the enforcement of the five-day work week system.
- A suo-moto investigation into sexual violence committed against disabled students at a special school.
- A suo-moto investigation of Busan "A" Mental Hospital and Busan Municipal Mental Hospital, which violated terms in the "Mental Health Act," in regards to patient admission/discharge and forced labor under false pretenses.
- The case of the Ministry of Health and Welfare providing the Korean Red Cross with a list of HIV-positive persons and people with a medical history of legal communicable diseases.
Major discrimination/discrimatory acts cases from 2006:
- The case of the Korea Railroad Corporation, who discriminated against female train attendants in employment.
- A suo-moto case of sexual harassment committed against female prisoners by detention center guards.
- The case of "B" Company, who refused to hire an applicant for a new recruit test, as the applicant was a carrier of active hepatitis B virus.
- A case against the Korea National Open University, who did not provide sign language interpretation service or text-typed interpretation for students with hearing impairments.
- A case against Korean select public schools that would not honor the academic records of Chinese students residing in Korea from ethnic Chinese schools in Korea.
The details and results of these cases, along with details on other activities, are provided in the 2006 Annual Report. Please contact the National Human Rights Commission of Korea if you would like to receive a copy of the report at:
public@humanrights.go.kr.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea was established in 2001, offering investigation and remedy services for Korean citizens and foreigners residing in Korea against human rights violations and discrimination. The Commission provides policy recommendations and remedial action against human rights infringements, collaborates with international human rights organizations and implements educational programs to improve the human rights culture.
