Torture Prevention Project of the NHRC of Korea August 2015. Torture Prevention Ambassador Young-Hye, Kim

Contents of TPP – Integrate with NHRCK’s regular tasks Table of Contents Why TPA? Contents of TPP – Integrate with NHRCK’s regular tasks Challenges of TPP Contributions to TPP Overview of TPP Achievements of TPP

“broader range of human rights infringement” I. Why TPA ? To share practices of Korea regarding prevention of torture and ill-treatment Reality: different perspectives among nations when it comes to torture prevention agenda Rapid social changes of Korea for the last two decades The direction is set to reflect the social changes in Korea. “apathetic one” To seek a sustainable role of torture prevention agenda in response to changes physical torture “broader range of human rights infringement” eg) violence, excessive crackdown, verbal abuse, etc. 3

II. Contents of TPP Integrate its agenda with regular tasks of the NHRCK  With its limited financial resource of TPP The project aims to enable management of human and financial resources. TPP “Article 25 of the National Human Rights Commission Act” mandates the NHRCK to conduct On-site investigation on-site investigation (more than 20 detention facilities every year) Human rights education and survey 4

“reflect the social changes in Korea” III. Challenges of TPP “Low public and media awareness of torture prevention” Torture is considered an issue of the past Measures “reflect the social changes in Korea” “Human rights violation in the military such as violent bullying and harassment among soldiers” The public pays much attention to military issues 5

Immigration Processing Centers Increasing influx of immigrants III. Challenges of TPP Immigration Processing Centers Increasing influx of immigrants “Growing interests” As of 2015 Migrant workers Marriage immigrants Illegal immigrants 620,000 150,000 220,000

IV. Contributions to TPP The National Assembly established “the Special Committee on Military and Human Rights”(31.Oct. ‘14) A revised bill to the National Human Rights Commission Act To set up a “Military and Human Rights Ombudsman” within the NHRCK (30. July ’15) Once the bill is passed, the Commission will be able to include the military in the on-site investigation Social media network To raise awareness of torture prevention among youths 7

V. Overview of TPP Purpose Prevention of torture and ill treatment in Korea Slogan “Torture Prevention: from Remedy to Prevention” TPP On-site Investigation OP-CAT Torture Prevention Education Torture Prevention Promotion 8

On-site Investigation of Detention and Protective Facilities V. Overview of TPP On-site Investigation of Detention and Protective Facilities Purpose of On-site Investigation To prevent torture and ill-treatment To find solutions for identified issues How to Investigate Subject Treatment for inmates Hygienic conditions Methods Paper Survey Field Investigation Interview(inmates and staffs) 9

On-site Investigation of Detention and Protective Facilities V. Overview of TPP On-site Investigation of Detention and Protective Facilities Progress A plan for on-site investigation was set up (March) 22 institutions to be investigated in 2015 (USD 46,000) The NHRCK’s On-site investigation 53 detention centers and 5,600 mass care facilities are subject to the investigation 3 Immigration Processing centers 6 military mental health centers and correctional institutions 3 youth detention centers Institute of Forensic Psychiatry 3 senior nursing homes 6 mental health care centers Establishment of investigation teams and preparation work (July) Data request Schedule confirmation Checklist and key findings 10

On-site Investigation of Detention and Protective Facilities V. Overview of TPP On-site Investigation of Detention and Protective Facilities On-site investigation (Aug. and Sep.) Immigration Processing Centers were completed ※ TPA visited Cheongju shelter On-site investigation for other facilities will be finished in Sep. On-site Investigation in Cheongju 11

Research on measures to join the OP-CAT V. Overview of TPP Research on measures to join the OP-CAT Objective Encourage Korea’s accession to the OP-CAT Contents “Implementation status of the OP-CAT in state parties and ways for Korea’s accession to the OP-CAT” Budget USD 24,500 12

Research on measures to join the OP-CAT V. Overview of TPP Research on measures to join the OP-CAT Progress Select and contract with a research institute (March) Interim report on progress of the research (June) Analysis of the OP-CAT and issues on Korea’s accession to the OP-CAT Issues : protection of military secret provision of special rights to NPM staff Plans Final report on result of the research(Sep.) Presentation and debate on result of the research (Oct.) 13

Torture Prevention Education V. Overview of TPP Torture Prevention Education Objective Provide education to people in charge of tasks with high possibility of occurrence of torture during execution to prevent occurrence of torture and ill-treatment Contents Integrate torture prevention education to human rights education curriculum for police and military Methods Instructors from the NHRCK or TPA provide education based on CAT related cases Human Rights Education (annually) 68 courses, 270 times, Budget: USD 630,000 14

Torture Prevention Education V. Overview of TPP Torture Prevention Education Progress Human rights instructor in military Workshop for human rights investigators at the National Police Agency (March) Investigation and Human Rights - Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (March) Enhance human rights sensitivity of police officers (March - June) Student at law school (July) Human rights education instructors in military (Year-around) Education for student at law schools Plans Human rights education instructor in military (Year-around) Human rights sensitivity of police (lecture by TPA, September) Human rights sensitivity of military (lecture by TPA, October) 15

PR on Torture Prevention V. Overview of TPP PR on Torture Prevention Objective Strengthen torture prevention activities through enhancing awareness Methods Contribution to daily magazine and internet, and meeting with high-ranking officials Plans Produce and disseminate leaflets on the CAT and prevention of ill-treatment (Sep.) 16

PR on Torture Prevention V. Overview of TPP PR on Torture Prevention Progress Meeting with the Navy Chief :  Discussion on prevention of violence in military (31 March) Meeting with the Vice-minister of Justice :  Encourage accession to the OP-CAT (17 August) Meeting with the Navy Chief Meeting with the Vice-minister of Justice 17

PR on Torture Prevention V. Overview of TPP PR on Torture Prevention Progress Contribution of TPA to daily newspaper (Seoul Newspaper) on the UN Day in Support of Victims of Torture (26 June) Introduction of TPP and enhancement of awareness on torture 18

PR on Torture Prevention V. Overview of TPP PR on Torture Prevention Progress ‘Online Quiz Event’ on the UN Day in Support of Victims of Torture (June) Facebook Quiz, “Fill in the Blank” Reaches 200960, Participation 1874, ice-cream gifticon to 50 people 19

VI. Achievements of TPP Importance of direct communication with the heads of institutions Effectiveness of direct awareness through constructive dialogue The meeting with the Vice-minister of Justice Sustained function of the CAT was discussed Accession to the OP-CAT was encouraged Navy Chief invited TPA for high commanders in Navy to provide human rights education Q & A session on cases of human rights violation in military Practical measures to address the issues 20

VI. Achievements of TPP Meeting with executives of institutions during on-site investigations Encouraged improvement of management of the facility and lack of shielding facilities in toilet Major concerns reported by institutions:  wage claims/ remedy for industrial accidents/ medical treatment Integration of torture prevention in human rights education for police and military Contents on abuse of physical power during arrest of the accused or crack down of demonstration violence, bullying, sexual harassment in military Meaningful material on torture prevention in Korea at APF and APT 21

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