The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK)" s task force team for the protection of human rights of crime victims (" TFT on crime victims" human rights" ; headed by Standing Commissioner Kim Ho-Jun) hosted a debate on " protection of the human rights of crime victims; outstanding issues and contentious points" on March 27, 2007.
Through comprehensive and multi-faceted analysis and scrutiny, experts in related fields discussed practical and effective means of providing relief to victims. The purpose of the debate was to formulate reasonable policy alternatives for special victims" groups including women and children and ultimately to devise rational and effective approaches to improve the legal status and guarantee the rights of crime victims, who deserve protection and respect in criminal proceedings.
The debate included a statement titled “Victims" Experience with Victim Support Centers and Governmental Support Services” by Gwak Ji-Young , chairperson of the Parents of Minor Victims of Sexual Violence, expert presentations titled “Support for Crime Victims" Physical and Mental Recovery” (Lee Mi-Gyung, director of the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center), “Participation in Investigation and Trial Process of Criminal Cases” (Lee Ho-Jung, law professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), “Cooperation Between Government and Citizens for the Protection of Crime Victims” (Kim Ji-Seon, researcher at the Korean Institute of Criminal Justice Policy), “Matters for Consideration in Protecting Crime Victims in Vulnerable Groups” (Yoon Deok-Gyung, researcher at the Korean Women" s Development Institute), and a debate by Kim Gyeong-Seok (head of the Relief & Support Department in the Human Rights Bureau of the Ministry of Justice), Choi Hye-Seon (head of the secretariat of the Korea Crime Victim Center) and Kim Deok-Jin (head of the secretariat of the Catholic Human Rights Committee).
In January, the NHRCK formulated and strongly recommended to the government the National Action Plan for Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (" NAP" ) as a comprehensive human rights policy. The government" s policy for protection of the human rights of crime victims was fully reflected in the NAP recommended by the NHRCK.
The NHRCK TFT on crime victims" human rights will compare and review foreign policies and institutional systems for protection of crime victims, primarily with respect to the contentious issues raised in the debate. Then, the TFT will present the NHRCK" s overall opinion on safeguarding the human rights of crime victims in the first half of 2007.
The TFT was organized in July 2006 and is chaired by Kim Ho-Jun, a standing commissioner of the NHRCK. It comprises relevant experts including Professor Oh Young-Geun (law department, Hanyang University), Professor Lee Ho-Jung (law department, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), Professor Lee Su-Jeong (psychology department, Kyonggi University), Attorney-at-Law Yang Gyeong-Seok (Sinseagi Law Firm), Attorney-at-Law Kim In-Sook (Lawyers for a Democratic Society), Director Lee Mi-Gyung (Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center) and Chairperson Lee Chang-Su (Human Rights Solidarity for New Society).
