NHRC Cops Out (again)
After deciding to consider talking about North Korean human rights, the NHRC said it’s none of their business (Via. The Marmot’s Hole)
Breaking years of silence, the National Human Rights Commission said yesterday it will not address violations of North Korean citizens’ human rights because the agency does not have jurisdiction in the communist country.
The commission, however, said it will consider some cases involving South Koreans. Human rights issues involving South Korean citizens who are prisoners of war, kidnap victims or people separated from their families will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, the commission said.
The commission voted yesterday afternoon in favor of its new official position. The actual voting tally was not announced.
The decision appeared to contradict an earlier statement given by the commission’s head, Ahn Kyong-hwan, who assumed the post in October. At that time, he said in media interviews, “I can no longer remain silent about North Korea’s rights abuses.” Yesterday, Mr. Ahn read a statement announcing the results and said his agency could not intervene.
And yet this is probably the “moderate” position. No wonder I cannot stand moderates. If I, a lowly college student/blogger, can make it my business to post a few things about the human rights situations every week, I do not see how a group of paid individuals cannot do the same thing. In South Korea, do people get paid more doing nothing?
