hankyoreh

Amnesty International has issued its final report titled “Policing the Candlelight Protests in South Korea” on the candlelight protests against American beef imports on October 6. It concluded that the police “for the most part during the protests they acted professionally and with restraint. In certain instances, however, riot police officials used unnecessary or excessive force, arrested people arbitrarily and ill-treated persons under their care, in violation of both South Korean law and international law and standards.” Little about the report differed from the draft issued in July despite strong protest about the specifics by the Korean government. It shows you how surely Amnesty believes there are problems with the way the Korean police exercise their authority.

The government says the report is biased, and that it disapproves, but from an international perspective there can be no controversy. That would be because, as noted by Amnesty, it is inconsistent with international norms for the police to forcibly prevent citizens’ free and peaceful protests. Anyone could tell you it is use of “unnecessary and excessive force” for police to shoot water cannons at close range and to physically trample on female university students and civic group officials.

It is, therefore, all too much a matter of course that, as recommended by Amnesty, the country revise the law on public assemblies and protests and prosecute those responsible for human rights violations. The authorities should give ear to the recommendation that police be given clear standards and strict training for the use of police equipment and weapons so that both are used in accordance with international norms, and that police be required to wear nametags so that the right people are made to bear responsibility for their actions.

The government’s response, however, is exactly the opposite of what this international human rights organization is suggesting. It continues to indiscriminately summon high school students and other participants in the candlelight protests for questioning, and there are even nonsensical moves to prosecute mothers who brought children in baby carriages to the protests for child abuse. Such outrageous coercion will not only make citizens angrier, it will make Korea an international laughingstock. The government should give Amnesty’s report a careful read and begin following international standards and norms.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]