Opinions on the first National Report of Korea on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities economically dependent on their family face limitations on exercising the rights to make decisions since not only the form of housing but also the way of life are decided under substantial influence of the family. ③ According to the result of the Study on the Status of Independent Life by Type of Disabilities and the Improvement of Support Systems conducted by the Commission in 2011, “disqualification of persons with disabilities from the basic livelihood allowance for not satisfying the criterion of guardian” in the context of income was pointed out as one of the factors undermining the independent life of persons with disabilities. According to the National Basic Livelihood Act, if a person with a disability has a guardian who has a certain amount of properties or income, the person with a disability shall not be eligible for the basic livelihood allowance. The thresholds of property or income level to initiate exemption from the allowance are quite low, and hence a large number of persons with disabilities in need of assistance, are denied the allowance. 2) Recommendation The government should enable persons with disabilities to lead a life of human dignity by abolishing the system which deny the basic livelihood allowance by the reason of having a guardian, and instead granting the basic livelihood allowance on the basis of their personal circumstances. 16. Article 29. Participation in political and public life 16.1 Suffrage of persons with disabilities 1) Current status and problems ① The Anti-Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Act obligates candidates of public office elections and their affiliated political parties to NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF KOREA 37

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