Why Did Songpa-gu Launch a Human Rights Survey for People with Disabilities?

Through a Specialized Human Rights Survey Team, 8 Facilities Including Residential and Short-Term Care for Disabled Examined... One-on-One In-Depth Interviews with Users and Staff Confirm Human Rights Violations, Abuse, and Facility Conditions

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu is conducting the "2022 Disability Human Rights Survey" to prevent human rights violations and enhance human rights sensitivity among users and workers of welfare facilities for the disabled.

Since launching the Disability Human Rights Survey Team in 2012, the district enacted the Seoul Metropolitan Government Songpa-gu Ordinance on the Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities and the Guarantee of Human Rights in the same year, conducting human rights surveys targeting welfare facilities for the disabled in the area. Through this, they aim to prevent discriminatory acts and human rights violations against persons with disabilities at an early stage and lead the advancement of disability human rights.

Currently, 16 members of the Human Rights Survey Team, composed of experts from various fields such as lawyers, professors, former police officers, medical professionals, and psychological counselors, are active.

This year’s survey, conducted from May to August, targets 529 users and workers across a total of eight facilities, including residential facilities for the disabled and short-term care facilities for the disabled.

The Human Rights Survey Team examines the difficulties faced by facility users and workers through one-on-one in-depth individual interviews. They check for ▲ cases of human rights violations such as assault, sexual violence, and abuse ▲ protection of rights related to health, safety, religion, and privacy ▲ facility environment including accident risks, accessibility, hygiene, and cleanliness. Additionally, anonymous surveys are conducted among workers to listen to their difficulties, which will be reflected in improving the working environment.

If violations are found during the survey, the district plans to immediately take corrective action on-site or notify separately to confirm the results of the measures. In cases where suspected human rights violations are discovered, a thorough investigation will be requested from the Seoul Disability Rights Advocacy Agency, and victims and perpetrators will be immediately separated and transferred to other facilities for protection.

Furthermore, active measures such as criminal charges against perpetrators and administrative sanctions on facilities will be pursued to ensure thorough protection of the human rights of persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, prior to this survey, in April, the district invited a professional instructor to conduct training for the Human Rights Survey Team, thoroughly reviewing manuals and enhancing expertise and capabilities in survey response procedures as part of the preparation.

A district official stated, “We will prevent human rights violations against persons with disabilities in advance through regular surveys,” and added, “We will continue to form social consensus on disability human rights issues and do our best for a society where everyone is equal.”