Watchdog recommends more human rights education for N.K. defectors

SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- The National Human Rights Commission of Korea said Friday it has asked the Ministry of Unification to strengthen human rights-related education for North Korean defectors.

In addition, the ministry has been asked to establish a human rights education program at the Hana Center, a state-run resettlement support center for former North Koreans.

The commission said it has taken the measures to help the North Korean defectors better recognize their rights in a changed social environment and actively cope with any discrimination.

It also called for new teaching materials that contain guidance on basic human rights, international human rights standards and ways to respond to rights violations and discrimination.

According to the commission's survey of 480 defectors in 2016, 82.1 percent said they had never received human rights education in North Korea. Moreover, 74.4 percent said they had never heard of the term "human rights" in the North.

In South Korea, 45.4 percent of the defectors suffered discrimination due to their origin, the commission noted, adding that 25.7 percent of them were discriminated against due to their academic background. The defectors went through the unification ministry's resettlement training but only 43.8 percent said they received an education on human rights.

ycm@yna.co.kr
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