In an escalating tug-of-war over human rights in South Korea, over 200 civil society groups have urged the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) to conduct a special review of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK). The decision regarding this review will be made at GANHRI’s upcoming annual meeting in Geneva from March 10 to March 12, 2025.
Ahn Chang-ho, the current chairperson of the NHRCK, is slated to attend this crucial meeting, raising alarms among civic organisations that he may be attempting to influence the review process to avoid scrutiny. With added voices from Korean civil groups, criticisms of Ahn’s support for the controversial martial law declaration made by President Yoon Suk-yeol are being highlighted, solidifying calls for a thorough review of the NHRCK’s actions.
Reports indicate that Ahn plans to leave South Korea by March 8 for a week-long trip to Geneva, where he will participate not only as the NHRCK chair but also in his capacity on the Asia Pacific Forum’s Governance Committee. His discussions with GANHRI officials, particularly the SCA chairperson, are under scrutiny, with fears that he may seek to undermine the call for a special review.
GANHRI’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) follows the Paris Principles to review national human rights institutions. The upcoming session during the 2025 GANHRI meeting will determine whether South Korean demands for a deeper examination of the NHRCK will be met. Civil society organisations recently accused the current government appointees to the NHRCK of fostering discrimination and bias through their decisions.
Earlier this month, these organisations submitted another appeal to GANHRI, asserting that the commission has failed to address the fallout from Yoon’s martial law declaration, thus undermining its credibility. Internal reports suggest that Ahn’s engagement with SCA officials is seen as an effort to avert the impending review, particularly following previous critical assessments of the NHRCK’s performance under his leadership.
Ahn will also participate in the 58th UN Commission on Human Rights during his Geneva visit to bolster the NHRCK’s image as a reputable institution globally. However, NHRCK officials themselves have expressed concern over Ahn’s actions, suggesting that his past support for the martial law declaration compromises his ability to provide an impartial account to the SCA.
Despite initial responses to GANHRI’s request for explanations, Ahn’s submissions failed to reflect the ongoing controversies, leading to fears that the NHRCK’s engagement in future GANHRI meetings could be jeopardised. If a special review occurs, it could set significant limitations on the NHRCK’s international participation, echoing the consequences faced during Hyun Byung-chul’s term.
During a recent debate at the National Assembly, advocates reiterated the necessity of submitting comprehensive materials to GANHRI, emphasising the importance of clear messaging about the NHRCK’s challenges. The call to action points towards an urgent need for international allies to be informed and to ensure that the situation concerning the NHRCK is accurately represented.
Over 200 South Korean civil society groups are petitioning GANHRI for a special review of the NHRCK, amidst concerns that its chairperson Ahn Chang-ho may seek to impede this process. The review will be discussed at the GANHRI meeting in Geneva in March 2025, with civic organizations highlighting Ahn’s controversial stance on human rights issues and the martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk-yeol.
The call for a special review of the NHRCK, driven by over 200 civil groups, highlights ongoing tensions in South Korea regarding human rights governance. Ahn Chang-ho’s upcoming participation at GANHRI raises concerns that he may attempt to sidestep critical evaluations of his commission. Civil society advocates stress the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in the NHRCK to uphold human rights standards in the nation.
Original Source: english.hani.co.kr
