NHRCK Comment on the Day for Persons with Disabilities
This year marks the 31st anniversary of “the Day for Persons with Disabilities” and the 3rd anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act.
The Disability Discrimination Act paved the way for persons with disability. Its influence on Korean society has been clearly demonstrated by the increase of complaints cases on disability discrimination by 15.5 times. The human rights of the disabled is one of the central agenda of the NHRCK.
It is expected that the social participation and access to education of the disabled would increase as the obligation to provide reasonable facilities for the disabled has been extended to industrial sites and education institutions, accommodating more than 100 people since April 11, 2011.
However, there are still discrimination and prejudices against the disabled in many facets of our society, regardless continuous efforts.
The NHRCK published a national report focusing on the human rights of the mentally disabled in 2009. In the following year, the NHRCK launched a monitoring group, composed of people with disabilities, to report on their daily life challenges. This year, the Commission will carry out research projects.
On the 31st anniversary of the Day for Persons with Disabilities, the NHRCK expresses sincere respect to the disabled and the human rights NGOs and activists for their efforts and commitments to advancing the human rights of the disabled.
April 20, 2011
Byung-Chul Hyun
Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea
