On May 11, we held a presentation on the results of the factual survey on the living conditions
of people with severe and mental disabilities in institutions and a seminar on related issues. The
survey revealed that over 60% of residents with disabilities had involuntarily entered institutions.
They did not sign the agreement themselves or were not offered the opportunity to request
services of their choice. Privacy is not guaranteed at such institutions, and many residents have
often been exposed to violence, etc.
This seminar provided momentum to elicit greater interest regarding residents at institutions
for people with severe and mental disabilities; to identify major policy issues such as the
deinstitutionalization; and to collect ideas on institutional improvement.
Staging an International Symposium to Promote the Human Rights of persons
with mental disabilities
We staged the International Symposium on Mental Healthcare Systems, Human Rights, and
Mental Healthcare Acts on October 26 jointly with the Korean Bar Association and Chairman
Lee Myoung-su of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Health & Welfare
Committee. This symposium was designed to share and learn from the experiences of diverse
countries to promote the human rights of persons with mental disabilities and help them better
integrate into local communities. It was attended by over 120 experts from Korea, the US,
Japan, Italy, Norway, etc., who gave presentations and engaged in discussions to seek ways to
realize legal equality and achieve the integration of persons with mental disabilities into local
communities.
E. Protecting the Rights of Migrants and Refugees
Drawing Up the Second Guidelines on the Human Rights of Migrants
In 2012, we recommended that the government comply with the Guidelines on the Human
Rights of Migrants in the establishment and implementation of migrant-related policies and have
monitored the implementation status of the guidelines by central ministries every year. In 2018,
we reviewed the outcomes and limitations of the existing guidelines and prepared a draft for the
Second Guidelines on the Human Rights of Migrants through factual surveys and consultations
National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2018
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Part 2 | Commission's Major Activities
admission and discharge procedures, the right to health of persons with disabilities, and