National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2020
conducive to practices of violence or sexual violence. In this relation, and in view of examining
some options to eradicate violence, it conducted ex officio investigations of major universities (nine)
that have a number of student sports clubs.
Investigations revealed that restrictive measures on use of mobile phones, outings or sleepovers,
words, abuses in the form of excessive chores, and hairstyle restrictions are forced upon members
of sports clubs as discipline or tradition, with non-compliance of these rules oftentimes leading
to violence (punishment or cursing). In other words, rather than being well-intended controls, the
measures have often led to violent consequences, which constitute violation of victims’ human
rights. Such practices are prevalent in sports clubs of major universities.
The Commission came to conclude that extreme control measures have become internalized
within sports clubs as a result of a hierarchical culture, rather than being individual deviations,
and that it is important to hold accountable those who are responsible for oversight. In relation to
training camp incidents, it recommended related organizations to establish disciplinary rules for
greater accountability, and to provide training on preventative measures.
■ Promotional activities for the sports community and the general public
Due to challenges posed by COVID-19 on contact events and activities, the Commission
produced promotional posters featuring webtoon characters that are popular among the
younger generations and highlighting positive or negative cases of human rights violations
in sports, and information on how to report a case. The posters were sent out to about 3,500
schools and sports associations.
The 2nd Human Rights in Sports Campaign titled ‘#Human Rights First, Sports Should Be Fun’
sought continuity and unity with the first campaign. It used a renewed emblem highlighting the
concept of Fun in Sports, so that sports can be exercised and preserved as enjoyable activity.
A variety of contents were produced and distributed online, including a campaign video
highlighting the joy and rewards of sports practice and the importance of human rights in sports,
a video highlighting the seriousness of violence in sports using the Sports and Human Rights
Charter, card news, and Youtube videos.
In view of shaping favorable conditions for human rights in sports, the Commission publicized
the public engagement campaign “Sports & Human Rights Oath Season 2” on SNS and also
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