ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal Update: AHRC-UAU-009-2008

21 February 2007

[RE: SOUTH KOREA: Independence of National Human Rights Commission of Korea is at risk]
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SOUTH KOREA: Interventions defeat threat to the independence of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea

ISSUES: National human rights institutions
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned today (21 February) that the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) will maintain its independence. We appreciate your various efforts to oppose this very serious threat.

UPDATE INFORMATION:

As earlier reported, the Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) proposed a recommendation to restructure government organisations to 'minimise and effective government'. One of the plans was to place the NHRCK under the administration, legislation or judicature on 16 January 2008. (See further AHRC-UAC-002-2008)

Other human rights organisations, civil society groups and professors from law faculties all protested and there was an active vigil in front of the Myeong-dong Cathedral for nine days while the temperature dropped to minus nine degrees. There were also huge resistance from a number of international sectors (See further AHRC-STM-017-2008, AHRC-FST-006-2008 and Save the NHRCK webpage).

On February 20, two major political parties, the Grand National Party (GNP) and the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) reached a compromise to maintain the independence of the NHRCK. This has been confirmed by the chairperson from the NHRCK on February 21. (See further AHRC-FOL-003-2008)

The AHRC welcomes this decision and appreciates your various efforts to keep its independence.

Thank you

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org)