Human Rights Commission: "Enact Anti-Discrimination Law and Abolish Death Penalty Following UN Recommendations"

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has urged the government to follow the recommendations of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, including the enactment of an anti-discrimination law and the abolition of the death penalty.

Song Doo-hwan, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, is taking the oath as a witness at the National Assembly's Steering Committee's audit of the National Human Rights Commission held at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 27th, Song Doo-hwan, the Chairperson of the NHRCK, stated in a press release that the government should clarify its position on whether it will accept the UN Human Rights Council's recommendations and faithfully implement those it accepts.

The UN Human Rights Council recommended that the government enact a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, abolish the death penalty, improve the scope and duration of alternative service for conscientious objectors, repeal the military criminal law that punishes consensual same-sex relations, expand social safety nets for the elderly and vulnerable groups, prevent violence against women and sexual violence, close the gender wage gap, guarantee safe abortion, enhance women's representation and promote women's rights in both public and private sectors, strengthen accessibility to public transportation and facilities for persons with disabilities and improve deinstitutionalization processes, protect labor rights of migrant workers, and improve the refugee screening system.

Furthermore, the UN presented recommendations during this review to strengthen the authority and role of the NHRCK in promoting women's rights, protect the rights of vulnerable groups affected by the climate crisis, and prevent human rights violations caused by artificial intelligence and information technology.

The UN Human Rights Council conducted the 4th Universal Periodic Review of South Korea on the 10th and released the outcome report. According to UN procedures, the government must notify its final position on the acceptance of the recommendations before the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, scheduled for June.

Prior to the 4th Universal Periodic Review, the NHRCK submitted an independent report to the UN on July 14 last year, containing opinions on major domestic human rights issues and areas for improvement. Additionally, on the 12th of last month, the NHRCK held a briefing session for foreign embassies in Korea to ensure that the 25 human rights tasks included in the independent report would be reflected as recommendations through UN member states.

Chairperson Song said, "The NHRCK hopes that the government respects the international community's commitment to human rights protection and accepts and implements the recommendations given to Korea to the fullest extent possible," adding, "During the process of reviewing whether to accept the recommendations, the government should actively listen to and reflect the opinions of the NHRCK and civil society."