specific provisions on the treatment of the migrant children, or the right to direct contact
with parents of the migrant children under custody and other essential measures to
protect them. The Government observed, in the statement of its opinions on the 'Bill on
Guarantee of Migrant Children's Rights' which was pending in the National Assembly in
2010, that it is advisable to utilize the special clause on sojourn permit in the
Immigration Control Act, but the special clause alone is not enough to protect the
human rights of the children of migrant workers. Currently, the public foreigner shelters
do not take measures to protect the children of unregistered migrant workers, other than
detaining them.
24. The Government should insert new provisions on the treatment of
minors in the event of detecting, detaining or deporting unregistered foreigners
into the Immigration Control Act, based on the NHRCK's recommendation of
December 2010 on the protection of children in the course of the crackdown on
unregistered migrant workers.
Discrimination Against Religious Minorities
25. It is estimated that around 140,000 Muslims live in Korea and some 45,000
of them are naturalized or native Koreans. The number of 'Koslims', who are the
children in the families of migrant Muslims living in Korea, is on a steady rise, reaching
approximately 4,000 as of end-2009. However, there is a lack of regard and respect for
the religious minority children. For instance, the children who cannot eat certain foods
for a religious reason (for example, pork) have difficulty in having school meals. Still,
no accurate information is available about the situation of these religious minority
children. It is quite important to take actions to have a clear understanding about
the current situation concerning discrimination against religious minority children
and improve the school meal system so that their religious faith and culture is fully
respected.
2. Children's Rights to Life, Survival and Development (Article 6 of CRC)
Juvenile Suicide (CRC/C/KOR/3-4, para. 111~114; CRC/C/KOR/Q/3-4, para. 35~36
and 76)
26. According to the data released in 2010 by the Statistics Korea, the number
of children who committed suicide grew sharply from 280 in 2005; 233 in 2006; 310 in
2007; 318 in 2008; to 450 in 2009. The children aged 15~19 recorded a particularly
high share, with 239 in 2005; 198 in 2006; 257 in 2007; 269 in 2008; and 369 in 2009.
In response, the Government has carried out the 2nd Comprehensive Measures to
Prevent Suicide (2009~2013), but these measures, which are largely adult-oriented and
fail to take into full consideration the conditions of children's maturity and development
and the social environment surrounding them, cannot be seen as a comprehensive
solution. The part of the measures regarding juvenile suicide is confined to the social
safety net for at-risk youth and the children's mental health management. In this light,
the Government needs to draw up additional child-oriented and comprehensive
the person has an outstanding reason to remain in the country.
7