Rights commission urges gov’t to implement UN recommendations

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Lee Sung-ho urged the government, Friday, to fully implement the recommendations from the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

In the report released on Oct. 9, the UN Committee made recommendations on various human rights issues including discrimination against minorities. The government has 18 months to submit its observations and information on the implementation of the recommendations made by the Committee.

“The UN urged that Korea fully incorporate the present recommendations in the third National Action Plan for human rights, with clear implementation timelines and indications of responsibilities for the branches and tiers of the Government. NHRC will try to fully implement the recommendations,” Lee said. “A public hearing will be held in November to discuss specific measures to adopt the UN opinions.”

The UN Committee expressed concerns about the criminalization of same-sex relationships in the Military Criminal Act in Korea. It said the persons involved in same-sex relationships are exposed to discrimination.

The Committee said reports of discriminatory attitudes and acts, against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender persons in many fields of public life were worrisome.