These recommendations follow the examination of the Government of the Republic of Korea’s state report to UN experts under the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, acceded to by the Republic of Korea in 1979.
The Concluding Observations issued by the Committee largely reflect the concerns of the FIDH and MINBYUN :
The Committee requests that the Korean Government , “in accordance with articles 2 and 5 of the Convention, adopt further measures, including legislation, to prohibit and eliminate all forms of discrimination against foreigners, including migrant workers and children born from inter-ethnic unions”.
With regard to the rights of migrants workers, the Committee recommends that the State Party take effective measures in order “to ensure their rights, regardless their status, to obtain effective protection and remedies in case of violation of their human rights by their employer”. The Committee remains concerned that migrant workers may only “be granted non-renewable, 3-year contracts, and face severe restrictions to their job mobility as well as discriminatory treatment and abuses in the workplace, such as longer working hours, lower wages, unsafe or dangerous conditions of work”.
The Committee urges the Republic of Korea to increase its efforts in combating the trafficking of foreign women for the purpose of sexual exploitation or domestic servitude and to provide assistance to victims.
However, MINBYUN and FIDH remain concerned at the human rights violations in foreigner detention centres. Notably, the Government must ensure descent living conditions and prevent human rights infringements by Immigration Control Office officials.
MINBYUN and FIDH call on the Republic of Korea to fully implement the recommendations of the Committee in order to fulfil its international obligations.