Human Rights Counseling Service for Refugees on the 60th Anniversary of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provided “Human Rights Counseling Service for Refugees on April 24 in Seoul on the 60th anniversary of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
The NHRCK has involved in the human rights issues of refugees since its establishment.
- In 2006, it recommended the Ministry of Justice to revise its policy on refugees in observance with international standards.
- In 2008, it researched the human rights situation of refugees in the Republic of Korea.
- In 2009, it recommended the Government to revise its deportation policy for refugee-status applicants who involved in unauthorized employment.
- In 2009-2010, it organized seminars and counseling services for the human rights of refugees.
The Republic of Korea acceded to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees in December 1992. Since one person was granted refugee-status in 2001, the number of refugee status holders has grown reaching 222 in 2010. However, the refugee-status applicants and refugee-status holders are facing a number of challenges such as unstable social status, social security scheme, and nationality obtainment. The NHRCK provided the counseling services to refugees to help with their daily life challenges in the Republic of Korea.
The NHRCK invited counselors from the Ministry of Justice, lawyers, labor attorneys and refugee-related NGOs to provide practical assistance and advice to refugees and migrants. Especially, MediPeace, a medical NGO, participated in the counseling service to provide medical advices and first aid boxes.
