The Commission hosted a commemorative ceremony for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10. The UDHR, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, was proclaimed a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations in the realization of the dignity and worth of all the peoples.
In the commemorative ceremony, this year’s Korea Human Rights Award was presented to people who worked for the protection of human rights in various fields including improvement of discrimination problems and human rights protection in facilities for caring for many persons and in the minority groups. Recitation of the UDHR and various performances were held for the event.
The Human Rights Award was presented to persons who or organizations that contributed to the spread of human rights education and culture and to the promotion of rights of youth and women and persons who strived for the review of human rights policies in the public sector including law enforcement, correctional institutions, and education, etc. Those who contributed to the promotion of human rights in our society were selected for the Human Rights Award after the council’s public screening of recommendations from human rights organizations and government bodies.
In the commemorative ceremony, Chairperson AHN Kyong-Whan stated that “The National Human Rights Commission of Korea began in 2001. It was very encouraging to see the achievements that government started to check the human rights on their own and to redress violations of human rights enough. However, there is a long way to go between the levels which international human rights institutions require us to be and the level we currently are. The UN Committees of International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Rights of the Child have already raised dire concerns over the discrimination and treatment of migrants’, children and youth with regard to their human rights. UN Human Rights Council reviewed the human rights reports from the Korean government in the UPR process over which there was concern and suggested 33 provisions for change in its final report. The New government’ slogan is an “Advanced Nation.” I believe that Korea will become a true advanced country when it is steadfastly developing human rights to meet the economic power’s demands. Human rights is an important barometer to decide of nation’s standing in the future society, therefore, it is vital and fundamental to put human rights diplomacy forward as one of challenges for the new government.”
He also stated that “Independence is fundamental to the life and root of National Human Rights Institutions(NIs) like the Commission. It is also the essential measure to secure the organisation and management of the NIs to ensure the independence. National Human Rights Commission of Korea was founded as an independent institution which means it does not belong to the legislature, the administration, or the judiciary and it was based on Paris Principles adopted by UN. It is for this reason that international society evaluates the level of NIs based on their independence from political powers. In spite of all of this, some national authorities still have a lack of understanding of independent NIs. As a chairperson of the Commission, I will diligently encourage them to resolve misunderstanding of NIs and I will stand firmly and react strongly to ensure independence of the Commission.”
The Commission also held a reception for the anniversary of the UDHR with ambassadors in Korea and the United Nations. During the reception, Deputy Head of Mission of French Embassy—representing the nation where the UDHR was created--and Ambassador from the Federal Republic of Nigeria--which is the current Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Council--presented messages celebrating the 60th anniversary of the UDHR. Photographs of multicultural society were exhibited and special performances were also given during the event.
