Chairperson Sung-Ho Lee of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea paid visit to the European Court of Human Rights and Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights on 17-18 March, 2016.
Visit to the European Court of Human Rights
Chairperson Lee officially visited the European Court of Human Rights on March 17 to meet with the President Guido Raimondi and had in-depth discussion on establishment of a regional institution for promotion and protection of human rights in Asia.
Chairperson Lee stated that there is a limit in carrying out activities for promotion and protection of human rights as there is no regional human rights institution in Asia unlike in Europe, America or Africa. He also emphasized that diverse cases and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights are providing legal foundation in interpreting human rights in other regions.
President Raimondi also agreed on the importance of establishing the regional human rights institution and explained the process of establishment of European regional human rights institutions including the European Court of Human Rights.
The European Court of Human Rights is an international court established in 1959 pursuant to the European Convention on Human Rights. It is mandated to decide on remedy for human rights infringements happening in 47 state parties to the Convention and provides support to each state party to amend its domestic law in line with the Convention.
Chairperson Lee and President Raimondi exchanged opinion on major cases from both institutions and detailed activities. They also agreed to make efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two institutions in the future.
Visit to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
Chairperson Lee also met with Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muiznieks of the Council of Europe to discuss major human rights issues including the issues related to the elderly, persons with disabilities and business.
He explained the seriousness of human rights infringements against North Korean workers in Europe and stated that he expect European nations to make efforts to protect their human rights.
Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muiznieks expressed great interest regarding Commission’s activities in relation to North Korean human rights issues and also stated that he will make efforts to deal with issues of North Korea migrant workers and refugees in Europe.
They agreed on the need for exchange between Europe and Asia regarding human rights, and discussed measures for future cooperation and exchange between the two institutions.
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, along with the European Court of Human Rights, is one of the most notable human rights institutions in Europe, along with the European Court of Human Rights. It was established in 1999 in a bid to facilitate respect for and increase awareness on human rights in 47 member states of the Council of Europe.
