외교부

제10차 유엔 인권이사회 고위급회기 기조연설
신각수 제2차관, 2009.3.3(화)

Statement
by
H.E. Dr. Shin, Kak-soo
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
Republic of Korea
at
The 10th Session of the Human Rights Council
Geneva

 
Mr. President, Madam High Commissioner, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me, at the outset, join the previous speakers in expressing the earnest wish that the 10th session of the Human Rights Council will be highly successful under the able and resolute stewardship of Ambassador Uhomoibhi as President of the Council. It is indeed meaningful to have an opportunity to make a speech at the Council today, since I had taken part in the entire process of the creation of the Council as a strong advocate of this august body in New York in 2005.

I would also like to commend Madam Pillay for her tireless efforts to protect and promote human rights across the world since she took up the post of the High Commissioner for Human Rights last year. I have every confidence that, with her extensive experience as ICC Judge and human rights defender, she will continue to successfully fulfill her noble and yet challenging tasks.

Mr. President,

Since its launch in 2006, the Human Rights Council has played a crucial role in addressing human rights violations in various forms and ensuring universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

In 2008, as the world celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Council took a major step toward the betterment of human rights in the world by setting in motion the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.

To date, the UPR has given us all an unprecedented opportunity to review the human rights situations of 64 countries, including the Republic of Korea. Through valuable and insightful advice, the UPR interactive dialogue reflected the high expectations of the international community with respect to human rights in the Republic of Korea. I am sure that this process will help my government to achieve higher standards in relevant areas of human rights.

The Republic of Korea is fully committed to the efforts of the international community to make the UPR mechanism more effective and constructive in the promotion and protection of human rights. In this regard, there is a need for the Council to consider bringing some complementary elements into the UPR process such as efficient and thorough deliberation, effective follow-up mechanisms, the constructive participation of civil society and other stakeholders and so on.

Mr. President,

We firmly believe that country-specific special procedures, together with the UPR, should remain a core tool of the Human Rights Council. The two mechanisms are mutually complementary and reinforcing rather than exclusive. Given the well-proven records of their watchdog role, country specific mandate-holders should continue to serve as the reliable "eyes and ears" of the Human Rights Council.

With regard to thematic mandates, my delegation believes that a standing invitation to all mandate-holders should be secured as a barometer of a government’s willingness to cooperate, contributing to the strengthening of the special procedures system. 

Mr. President,

It is encouraging to note a general improvement in global human rights situations in the last few decades, with an ever-expanding human rights machinery and growing awareness of human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide. Amid widespread and flagrant human rights violations that stem from armed conflicts, discrimination, political repression and poverty, however, we still have a long way to go before achieving the lofty goal of ensuring the universal value of human rights.

On this occasion, I would like to echo the deep concerns of other delegations over the gross and systemic human rights violations persisting in some parts of the world today. I strongly believe that the Human Rights Council, and indeed the whole international community, should step up efforts to firmly address such violations.

My government, sharing the serious concerns of the international community regarding the dire human rights conditions in the DPRK, urges that the latter take necessary measures to improve its human rights situation in full compliance with its obligations under the international human rights law and relevant treaties to which it is party.

Today the world is undergoing a severe economic crisis. The crisis itself may, at first glance, seem to have no direct effects on human rights. However, history has taught us that economic trouble has been the underlying cause behind many humanitarian catastrophes and worsening human rights situations. While each State should be primarily responsible for the vulnerable segments of its society, the international community should not hesitate to offer necessary and timely support to societies suffering from the crisis.

Mr. President,

Since its establishment in 1993, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has played a pivotal role in elevating standards of human rights observance and at the same time advancing human rights conditions on the ground. Fully embracing the eminent role of the OHCHR, my delegation stands ready to render its full support to the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the endeavors to expand its regional presence around the world.
               
We hope that, with the support of the High Commissioner, the upcoming Durban Review Conference will be successfully held, yielding concrete and comprehensive measures to enhance the implementation of the 2001 Durban Declaration and Program of Action. In the face of the current divergence of views, we should redouble the ongoing consultations to produce the outcome document of the conference. It is our sincere wish that the final outcome will lead to tangible advancements in preventing racial discrimination and protecting victims.

Mr. President,

The Government of the Republic of Korea has spared no efforts to promote its human rights standards, with the firm conviction that the faithful implementation of universal values such as human rights, democracy and the rule of law is key to attaining a peaceful, prosperous, just and harmonious society.

As Korean society is now becoming increasingly diverse, my Government enacted the Law on Support for Multicultural Families, with a view to protecting the human rights of foreigners including migrant workers and their children living in Korea. This law will also serve to address the difficulties of the foreign spouses of Korean nationals in their adjustment to the new life in Korea.

The Republic of Korea also became a State Party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities last December, in addition to the six core human rights instruments to which it is already party. My Government is now working on the measures to ensure that its domestic law and policy are in line with that Convention. The “Five-year Plan for the Welfare of the Persons with Disabilities” drawn up last August marked a good start in this direction.  

Mr. President,

Before concluding, I would like to reaffirm the strong commitment of my Government to work closely with the international community to see the noble cause of human rights permeate into every corner of the globe. It shall also continue to take active part in the efforts to make the Human Rights Council even more effective and credible.

Thank you.