A consultation on law enforcement and the rule of law in East Asia was held at Yonsei University from August 20 through 23 by the Asian Legal Resource Centre, an international human rights group based in Hong Kong. The purpose of this consultation was to discuss problems in law enforcement and human rights abuses committed by the police and problems with the existing mechanisms in dealing with police abuses, as well as to exchange ideas on policing and related reforms to improve the situation in East Asian countries. At the consultation, academics in the field of law, lawyers, and NGO activists from Korea, China and Japan discussed human rights violations by the police and related law and institutions in each country, and how to ultimately protect human rights in the practice of law enforcement in East Asia.
As part of the consultation program, participants took part in a meeting with investigators from the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) on August 21. Prior to the meeting, the participants met with NHRCK Chair Kyong-Whan Ahn to exchange opinions on the general human rights status of the three nations and human rights issues that arise in the process of law enforcement. During the meeting with investigators, the participants were briefed on types of human rights violations that occur in the process of law enforcement based on complaints filed with the NHRCK as well as on how the commission investigates and decides what measures to take. Consultation participants from China and Japan also introduced similar cases from their nations to mutually confirm common human rights issues and share their experience in terms of prevention and relief measures. Opinions were also exchanged on each nation's police reform and institutions for dealing with the abuse of power by the police and related problems. Participants expressed a great deal of interest in the NHRCK's educational programs and materials for civil servants engaged in law enforcement and requested that the commission share the programs and materials.
At the consultation, the commission and the Asian Legal Resource Centre agreed, with regard to human rights issues in law enforcement, to participate in a variety of educational sessions and conferences, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and explore specific solutions.
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.
