"Youth Quarantine Pass, Clear Human Rights Violation"…Citizen and Parent Groups File Complaint with Human Rights Commission

On the 7th, a press conference organized by the Seoul Parents' Association was held in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in Jongno-gu, Seoul, calling for "measures for full in-person classes and the withdrawal of the vaccine pass." / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Civic groups and parent organizations have filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, arguing that the government's 'Youth Quarantine Pass' policy infringes on the human rights of adolescents, including their freedom to choose vaccination and their right to education.

On the morning of the 8th, the Rule of Law Restoration Action Alliance, the Seoul Education Revival Parents' Alliance, and the Seoul Restoration Citizens' Alliance held a press conference in front of the Human Rights Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul, stating, "The Youth Quarantine Pass, applicable to those aged 12 to 18 starting February 1 next year, constitutes an infringement on the right to education, the freedom to choose vaccination, and discrimination based on vaccination status."

They argued, "If one has not completed vaccination or does not possess a negative COVID-19 test certificate, they cannot access facilities for learning such as academies, study rooms, and libraries, which clearly violates the right to education," adding, "This effectively forces vaccination, infringing on the constitutional general freedom of action, that is, the freedom to choose vaccination."

Concerns were also raised that the Youth Quarantine Pass constitutes 'unfair discrimination.' They emphasized, "The Youth Quarantine Pass policy falls under discriminatory acts infringing on the right to equality as defined in Article 2, Paragraph 3 of the National Human Rights Commission Act, which prohibits preferential treatment, exclusion, distinction, or disadvantageous treatment of certain individuals in relation to the use of educational facilities. It discriminates against unvaccinated students without reasonable grounds and clearly constitutes a human rights violation."

Furthermore, they stated, "Parents who distrust vaccine safety cannot agree to the Youth Quarantine Pass because it directly concerns their children's lives," and demanded, "We strongly urge the Human Rights Commission to conduct a thorough investigation and strongly recommend a complete reconsideration of the implementation of the Youth Quarantine Pass."