[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The Police Agency Human Rights Committee recommended on the 2nd to stop taking disadvantageous measures against attendees of the nationwide police chiefs meeting held last month.
The Police Agency Human Rights Committee issued a decision statement on the day, stating, "Freedom of expression in a democratic society is a mechanism for denying totalitarianism and enabling democracy to function." It added, "Freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution can only be restricted for public interest purposes, and various opinions raised during government policy decision-making processes must be protected." It emphasized, "Placing Chief Superintendent Ryu Sam-yeong on standby leave for disobeying the order to dissolve the chiefs meeting and holding the meeting, and conducting inspections on the attendees, could pose a serious threat to freedom of expression and democracy."
The Police Agency Human Rights Committee also judged, "The Police Agency claims that the attendees violated their duty of obedience under the National Public Service Act, but since the chief superintendents participated in the meeting on a Saturday, which is their day off, it is difficult to consider that they had a duty of obedience." It urged, "From a human rights perspective as well, there is no justifiable basis for the disadvantageous measures, and the Police Agency Commissioner should halt the procedures related to the disadvantageous measures against the meeting attendees."
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