PSPD in English UN Advocacy 2009-07-21   2081

PSPD appealed to the UNHRC about the violation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression by the Lee government


 


Urge the UN Human Rights Council to concern with the abuse of the public power and the violation of the fundamental rights in South Korea


The PSPD(People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy) appealed to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression of the UN Human Rights Council about a series of violations of the right to freedom of opinion and expression by the Lee Myungbak government.


The PSPD presented three cases of the violations of the human rights by the Lee Myungbak government.


Firstly, five journalists were caught and accused by the Lee government just because they produced a documentary program, the PD’s Note’, pointing out the prblems of the Lee Myungbak’s policy on importing the US beef which may contain the mad cow disease. Even worse, the prosecutors, who should conduct a fair, objective investigation, violated the right to privacy by disclosing irrelevant personal e-mails to the public.


Secondly, a public servant at the National Tax Service was dismissed and accused of defamation because he merely expressed his opinion that the former Mr. Hahn Sang-ryul (ex-Head of the National Tax Service) and the chief executives were responsible for the demise of the former President Roh Moo-hyun.


Lastly, 17,147 teachers who signed a statement requesting administrative reform and democratic recovery received a disciplinary punishment. In addition, the police arrested and detained 16 teachers who were having a press conference to denounce the government’s decision to punish teachers.


The PSPD pointed out that the mentioned cases presented the Lee government‘s violations of the right to freedom of opinion and expression which is enshrined in the  article 19 of the UN International Covenant on the Civic and Political Rights. It urged the UN Human Rights Council as well as the international community to pay attention with the violations of human rights by the Lee government so as to stop the violations and provide protection of human rights.


After receiving appeals of communications from the PSPD, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression will send an urgent action letter or an allegation letter to the Lee government or ask further information or explanation. If the cases are serious or piled up, the Special Rapporteur may commit herself or make a country-visit.


Last June 1, 2009, the PSPD submitted a written statement concerning the violations of the right to freedom of opinion and expression to the UN Human Rights Council. The PSPD also launched a campaign for the protection of the Constitution from July 8 to July 17, the commemorating day of the 61st anniversary for establishing the Constitution. During the campaign, it denounced the Lee government for violations of human rights and fundamental rights while urging the government to restore democracy, human rights and freedom of the Korean citizen in cooperation with citizens.


See the Case Fact Sheets submitted to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression

case fact sheet.pdf



Convention on Civil and Political Rights

Article 19

1. Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.

2. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.

3. The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:

 (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others;

 (b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.



 

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