On the Day Against LGBTQ+ Hate... National Human Rights Commission: "No More Hate and Discrimination Against Sexual Minorities"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) announced on the 17th, marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, that it will pay attention and make efforts to eliminate hatred and discrimination against sexual minorities and social minorities.

On this day, the NHRCK issued a statement in the name of Chairman Song Doo-hwan, stating, "Hatred and discrimination against sexual minorities must no longer be tolerated."

The NHRCK released this statement to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This day has been observed worldwide since May 17, 1990, when the World Health Organization officially removed homosexuality from its classification of diseases.

The NHRCK pointed out that human rights violations against sexual minorities are severe. According to a 2020 survey conducted by the NHRCK targeting 591 sexual minorities, 90% of respondents experienced hatred solely because they are sexual minorities. The survey also found that these individuals continuously suffer from stress, depression, and anxiety due to hatred and discrimination. Additionally, a survey conducted last year by the sexual minority rights organization Daum targeting sexual minority youth revealed that about half of the 3,911 respondents answered that they had seriously considered suicide within the past year.

International organizations have also expressed concern about discrimination and exclusion of sexual minorities in Korea. On November 3, 2015, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee recommended that the Korean government not tolerate any form of social stigma and discrimination, including hate speech and violence against sexual minorities, expressing concern over the widespread hatred and discriminatory attitudes toward sexual minorities in Korean society.

The NHRCK stated, "Like other members of society, sexual minorities have the right to be respected as they are and to enjoy freedom, fairness, human rights, and equal solidarity," and added, "We will pay special attention and make efforts to eliminate hatred and discrimination against sexual minorities and other social minorities in the future."