The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) celebrated the 59th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2007 at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The reception event was held in the Press Center’s 18th Floor Gallery from 6:00 to 8:00PM.
The Commission holds a celebration for the Anniversary of the Declaration each year on December 10th. This year, the theme of the event was “Dignity for All!” and was attended by a number of foreign ambassadors, diplomats and members of international press agencies.
Chairperson AHN Kyong-Whan of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea opened the event with a welcoming speech that was both congratulatory and melancholy.
“As history showed us,” AHN’s speech started, “the road toward human rights means heartaches and struggles. But it also means life and hope to those insistent on not being submerged by either social or economic limitations. Further, it means hope and expectation for individual dignity and fulfillment to the rich and the poor alike. … To the Korean people as well, the Declaration carries a symbol of hope and achievement.”
Others spoke at the event, including Ambassador Peter ROWE from the Australian Embassy, Ambassador Mustafa KAMAL from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Mr. Adrian JONES, political counselor for the British Embassy and colleague of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea.
Ambassador ROWE’s speech highlighted Australia’s strategy for protecting human rights and reaffirmed Australia’s dedication to human rights work and understanding in the Asia-Pacific Region. He also spoke gravely of the situation in North Korea, stating that “[Australia] remain[s] gravely concerned about the human-rights situation in North Korea, including the suppression of freedom of expression, religion and opinion, as well as torture and imposition of the death penalty for political reasons.”
Ambassador KAMAL addressed the audience with felicitations and congratulatory remarks for the progress of the Commission’s work over the past six years and stressed that “We must all bring together all of our efforts and influences to assist Korean society reach its full maturity and capacity [to recognize human rights].”
Mr. Adrian JONES echoed the congratulatory and grave remarks made by the other speakers, but also ended on an uplifting note about the advances of the Declaration. “[W]e should not undervalue the huge advances that the Declaration and the human rights treaties that it inspired have helped to bring about,” Jones stated. “The fact that most people in the world now enjoy self-determination in independent countries, whereas in 1948 most people lived under colonialism. The fact that most people can now pursue their dreams of happiness and prosperity without being forced to follow a State ideology.”
The Celebration of the 59th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights gave the over 40 distinguished foreign ambassadors, diplomats and members of the international press another opportunity to reflect on the human rights situation in South Korea, along with high-ranking civil servants from the South Korean Ministry of Justice.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea will host an event to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th, 2008.
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.
