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국가보안법, 50년이면 충분하다;국가보안법 50주년에 즈음하여 한국인권단체협의회에 보내는 연대사
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| 분류코드 | Pl0092 |
| 자료형태 | A4복사 |
| 페이지 | 2 |
| 언어 | 한국어,영어 |
| 필자 | 삐에르사네 |
| 잡지 | 민주사회를 위한 변론 |
| 하위분류 | 법률잡지 |
| 발행일 | 1998년 12월 25일 |
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| 목차 |
국가보안법 50년이면 충분하다
국가보안법 50주년에 즈음하여 한국인권단체협의회에 보내는 연대사
MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO KOHRNET (KOREA HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK)
ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY LAW
Pierre Sane
Dear Friends,
On this historic day, and on behalf of Amnesty International members throughout the world, I am sending you this message of solidarity and support. I wish you every success in your National Security Law campaign throughout the coming months.
On 10 December human rights activists throughout the world will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights(UDHR), a document which sets out the rights and freedoms of every person in every country. We hope that human rights groups in South Korea will join us in commemorating this important declaration which laid the foundation for development of worldwide human rights protection.
But South Korea also marks a less happy anniversary on 1 December, the 50th year of the National Security Law. The very rights granted in the UDHR were taken away by a succession of South Korean Governments through use of the National Security Law to limit freedom of speech and assembly.
South Korea has gone through profound changes since 1948. It has developed into an open and more tolerant society, with a former political prisoner as its President. But the National Security Law is still being used, as it was in past decades, to imprison hundreds of people each year for their peaceful political thoughts and actions. Reform of the law is long overdue.
In September President Kim told me that "poisonous clauses" of the law will be reviewed soon. I reminded him that the law is being constantly abused and that every day of delay adds new victims - not just prisoners but also their families and loved ones. Long-term political prisoners are among those who continue to be held under the National Security Law, simply because they will not sign a "law-abiding pledge".
The government has a moral responsibility to protect the rights of these and other victims of the National Security Law. It should also remember its international commitments. The National Security Law is in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which South Korea has signed up to. South Korea is rightly proud of its achievements, but the National Security Law has earned South Korea a reputation as a country which jails hundreds of political prisoners each year. The government could win new international respect by releasing political prisoners and either abolishing or substantially amending the National Security Law.
This is a difficult time for South Korea, as it grapples with the economic crisis which has affected the country this year. During this period it is vital that key economic and social rights are protected but one set of rights cannot be viewed in isolation from others. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is an important reminder that economic, social, political and civil rights are closely linked; they cannot be separated and prioritised over each other. South Koreans should continue to seek all the rights to which they are entitled, including freedom of speech and assembly.
I would like to join with human rights activists, prisoners and their families in calling for an end to abuses under the National Security Law. Throughout the coming year, Amnesty International hopes to add its efforts to those of many Asian NGOs who will be campaigning for reform of national security legislation in countries throughout the region. We believe Korean human rights groups can play a strong and leading role in this campaign. We wish you every success.
With best wishes,
Pierre Sane
Secretary General
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