Ahn Chang-ho, chairperson of the Nationwide Human Rights Fee of Korea (NHRCK), finds himself mired in one more scandal. Not a stranger to controversy, regardless of his lengthy profession in legislation, his actions this time round are out of step and inappropriate, particularly as uncertainty and turmoil continues pending a choice from the Constitutional Courtroom on whether or not to uphold the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
In his response letter to the Workplace of the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights, which oversees procedural issues for the World Alliance of Nationwide Human Rights Establishments (GANHRI) Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA), Ahn cited a public opinion ballot claiming that „almost 50 % of Koreans don’t belief the Constitutional Courtroom.“ He additionally stated there was a necessity to revive belief and guarantee equity within the courtroom’s processes. The SCA, performing upon a request from 204 Korean civic teams, had requested Ahn concerning the NHRCK’s assist for the martial legislation declaration by opining for Yoon’s authorized proper to protection and the president’s proper to declare martial legislation. By citing the „want to make sure equity,“ Ahn was referring to how, regardless of a revision to the Prison Process Act and Yoon’s objections, the prosecution investigations have been used as proof within the impeachment trial. The Constitutional Courtroom stated that they could possibly be used based mostly on the 2017 precedent.
Ahn additionally enclosed in his letter the NHRCK’s proposal issued in January that really helpful Yoon’s proper to protection needs to be upheld, with the exclusion of dissenting opinions from the unique doc. When the letter’s content material grew to become public, Ahn claimed he had no intention to criticize the Constitutional Courtroom. He additionally shot down any notion that he would apologize if the letter would result in a decrease standing for the NHRCK following the GANHRI’s pending assessment. He stated he acted „based mostly on the reality and spoke out for the human rights of the individuals.“ Korea’s human rights fee, since its institution in 2001, has maintained an „A“ score, based mostly on components such because the independence of the establishment, variety of its members and autonomy in its operations.
But, it’s tough to miss Ahn’s obvious alignment with Yoon’s authorized protection staff and his propensity for controversy. Ahn burdened that he doesn’t totally agree with the president’s authorized staff. However in relation to controversies, the previous prosecutor and former Constitutional Courtroom justice has an extended monitor file. When he was appointed final yr, Ahn’s earlier public opposition to the proposed enactment of a complete anti-discrimination invoice and the popularity of the authorized rights of LGBTQ+ individuals had prompted protests and doubts whether or not he can lead the fee in finishing up one among its most vital roles, to look into human rights violations and discriminatory practices.
These try occasions in Korean politics and society. A political divide has been heightening within the nation, manifesting in excessive polarity in opinion polls and in avenue rallies within the wake of the short-lived Dec. 3 imposition of martial legislation. The Korea Institute for Well being and Social Affairs just lately introduced its findings that the social battle index as felt by the Korean public recorded its sharpest excessive final yr. The report confirmed that the battle index between conservatives and liberals within the nation climbed to three.52 factors in 2024, up from 3.35 factors in 2018.
Given such disparity among the many voters because the nation awaits the Constitutional Courtroom’s choice on whether or not to uphold the impeachment, the phrases and actions of a senior and outstanding member of society would have an effect and repercussions. The rights fee chief ought to nicely know the burden of his workplace and stature. He would do nicely to test his phrases and actions.
