The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) recommended a principal of “A” primary school to conduct human rights education for teachers, staff and students on 3 September 2012 on the grounds that the school did not take suitable actions against school violence based on racial discrimination.
A petitioner, Mr. Son (48, male) who is the 3rd generation of overseas Chinese with Taiwanese nationality claimed that his son who is in the 6th grade of primary school received insulting comments based on racial discrimination from his peers and was afflicted with physical violence. However, the principal administered the School Committee against Violence (Committee) in a biased manner” and filed a petition before NHRCK on May 2012.
On NHRCK’s investigation, victim’s three classmates picked a fight with the victim during class break with racial slurs and physical violence. The victim also exercised violence to a certain extent against them. The “A” school organized the School Committee against Violence and the Committee concluded that the same disciplinary action such as a written apology, special education or psychological therapy for students for 5 hours, and special education for parents shall be taken upon four persons involved including the victim. After NHRCK’s investigation initiated, additional session of the Commission was held and made a resolution that the victim would receive no other disciplinary action but a written apology.
NHRCK dismissed petitioner’s claim that the Committee made an unfair decision against the victim because NHRCK reviews that the Committee has discretion to deliver such decision and damage was remedied after the Committee lifted some of disciplinary action for the victim.
However, regardless of the Committee’s decision, NHRCK notes that the principal of the “A” school has obligation to conduct additional action for the students who provoked violence with racial slurs. Thus, NHRCK decided it constitutes violation of human rights not to carry out responsibility to prevent possible discrimination based on race. But, as primary school students can be enlightened by human rights education and correct their behavior using racial discriminative comments subconsciously.
In this regard, NHRCK recommended the principal to hold a human rights education session for teachers, staff and students.
NHRCK hopes this decision would serve as a momentum for the society recognizing the seriousness of using racial slurs and “respect for others” is one of indicators of human rights level in the society.
