Human Rights Training Law needs to be Passed
In 2007, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) conducted over 110 rounds of human rights training, in which more than 13,000 people participated.
The number of trainees serving as teachers, police officers, correctional officers, and social workers, whose jobs are closely related to the public’s human rights, exceeded 10,000.
The year 2007 saw dramatic expansion in human rights education in the field of social welfare. Many social workers took part in the NHRCK’s workshops on how to use its human rights education materials targeting staff of residential facilities for the disabled, followed by training programs targeting personnel from elderly and mental nursing homes. In 2007, a new perspective on human rights was established in social welfare.
Human rights education for press agencies and companies was increased and conducted in full swing in 2007, compared to 2006.
Despite such rapid growth, human rights education in Korea remains inadequate relative to recommendations from the OECD, UN General Assembly, and UN human rights treaty organizations. Human rights education for teachers and law enforcement officers including correctional officers, police officers, and prosecution personnel, whose duties concern human rights of the public, is essential. However, the belief that human rights issues may undermine economic efficiency or productivity is still prevalent, and the country has a poor basic system for human rights education, including a lack of professional lecturers, specialized training sites, and teaching materials.
In order for Korea to improve human rights education, the UN General Assembly recommended formulation of a ten-year basic plan on human rights education and enactment of a special act on human rights education. However, the country has yet to implement the recommendation.
The NHRCK expects that the National Assembly will pass the human rights education bill to clear the way for Korean society’s advancement with respect to human rights.
