The National Human Rights Commission of Korea hosts an international seminar on the role of NHRIs in the newly-established UN human rights mechanism
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRCK) hosted a seminar titled, “The International Seminar on the Role of the NHRIs in the Newly Established UN Human Rights Mechanism” on November 15, 2007 at the Seoul Headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea.
The seminar, organized by International Human Rights Team of the Commission, aimed to allow members of the international community to share their experiences and insightful criticisms concerning the role of NHRIs and the changing human rights mechanisms. The recent changes in international human rights mechanisms bring more emphasis and importance to the work of NHRIs in their respective States and in the international community, particularly with the United National Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Mr. Byung-hoon Oh, Director of the International Human Rights Team at the National Human Rights Commission of Korea lead the Opening Ceremony for the seminar, followed by Opening Remarks from Chairperson Kyong-Whan Ahn of the Commission. Chairperson Ahn stated in his Opening Ceremony that “Now it is high time to put our energy and attention into nurturing our strategic and effective engagement in the new human rights regime as expected from next year…. [there is] much work still remains to be done by the NHRIs in tandem with international partners.” Please see the attached file for the full transcript of Chairperson Ahn’s Opening Remarks.
Mr. Gianni Magazzeni, Coordinator of the United Nations OHCHR NI Unit, and Mr. Luis Alfonso de Alba, Ambassador of Permanent Mission of Mexico in Geneva, also spoke of the importance of NHRIs in the recent development of UN human rights mechanisms during the seminar’s opening.
Among the working group moderators and speakers were representatives of the OHCHR, the ICC, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the Asia-Pacific Forum, and the Committee on the Rights of the Child, along with Vice Chairperson M. Ridha Saleh of the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia and Professors from various international law schools.
There were also a Plenary Discussion Summary and Working Group Presentation in the afternoon of the seminar and, moderated by Chairperson Ahn, followed by a Discussion Summary and Closing Remarks from Chairperson Ahn. The comments from any of these working groups and speeches is attached for your reference.
The seminar was deemed timely and successful. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea was established in 2001, offering investigation and remedy services for Korean citizens and foreigners residing in Korea against human rights violations and discrimination. The Commission provides policy recommendations and remedial action against human rights infringements, collaborates with international human rights organizations and implements educational programs to build the human rights culture.
