(한국어) SEOUL – I would like to thank the Government of the Republic of Korea for inviting me to undertake this official mission here from 20 to 29 January 2016, my first to Asia. I would also like to thank the Government for its excellent cooperation in organizing the mission, including the visit with KCTU president Mr. Han Sang-gyun in prison. I have had informative exchanges with the members of the executive, legislative and judicial branches, and met with a list of officials too long to list here. Their input and assistance was much appreciated even though I did not meet with any of the political leaders of government despite my repeated requests. I also met with activists representing different perspectives, observed a number of protests, talked with families who lost their children in the Sewol ferry tragedy, and more. I travelled to Ansan, Sejong, Gyeongju, and Pohang. These experiences allowed me to witness firsthand the vibrancy of this country’s civil society and democracy. I am impressed by the boisterous and energetic tradition of people joining together and taking to the streets or the halls of power to speak their mind and effect change. Some view this tradition as a bit rowdy, but civil society’s heart beats loudly in South Korea, something that all democracies should... Continue reading →
(English) 제네바 —UN 평화적 집회와 결사의 자유 특별보고관 마이나 키아이(이하 “특별보고관”)가 1월 20일부터 29일까지 방한한다. 방한 기간 동안 평화적 집회와 결사의 권리가 대한민국 내에서 어느정도 수준으로 향유되는지 면밀하게 평가할 예정이다. 특별보고관은UN 인권이사회로부터 전세계 평화적 집회와 결사의 자유권 실현을 모니터링하고 독려하는 임무를 부여받은 독립적 전문가이다. 평화적 집회와 결사의 자유 특별보고관으로는 정보 수집을 목적으로 대한민국에 처음 방문한다. 이번 방한은 대한민국 정부 초청으로 이루어진다. “인권이사회는 평화적 집회와 결사의 자유 권리가 민주주의의 핵심 요소라 인식하며, 회원국으로 하여금 개개인의 평화적 집회 및 결사의 자유 권리를 존중하고 전적으로 보호할 수 있도록 촉구한다. 이번 방한은 이런 관점에서 여러차례 인권을 향한 의지를 표명해온 국가에서 직접 정보를 수집할 기회이다." 고 특별보고관은 발했다. 특별보고관은 9일 간의 일정동안 서울, 안산, 경주 및 포항을 방문하며 정부관계자, 사법부 및 입법부 관계자, ... Continue reading →
(한국어) GENEVA – United Nations Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai will visit the Republic of Korea from 20 to 29 January 2016 to assess in-depth to what extend the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are enjoyed in the country. Mr. Kiai’s visit will be the first information-gathering mission to the Republic of Korea by an independent expert mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and promote the realization of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association worldwide. It will take place at the invitation of the Government. “The Human Rights Council has recognized both rights as essential components of democracy, and called on States to respect and fully protect the rights of all individuals to assemble peacefully and associate freely,” the expert said. “This visit will give me an opportunity to gather first-hand information in that regard in a country that has voiced its commitment to human rights on repeated occasions.” During his nine-day visit, the Special Rapporteur will travel to Seoul, Ansan, Gyeongju and Pohang. He will meet with State officials, members of the judiciary and of Parliament, as well as representatives of the National Human Rights Institute, the civil society, and the diplomatic community. He also hopes to meet with... Continue reading →
(English) SANTIAGO/GINEBRA – El Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas, Maina Kiai, instó hoy al Gobierno de Chile a eliminar "los vestigios de la dictadura" que van en detrimento de la libertad de reunión pacífica en el país, y a continuar con las reformas para que el país pueda "ocupar el lugar que le corresponde como un líder mundial en los derechos humanos". "Chile ha logrado grandes avances desde su retorno a la democracia hace 25 años", dijo el Sr. Kiai al final de la primera visita* al país de un experto independiente encargado por el Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU de promover la realización de los derechos de la libertad de reunión pacífica y de asociación de todo el mundo. "Sin embargo, aún persisten vestigios de antaño que no tienen cabida en el Chile de hoy", señaló. "El fantasma de esa época acecha especialmente al sector de la seguridad, principalmente Carabineros de Chile —y específicamente las Fuerzas Especiales— en su función de custodiar los conflictos sociales y manifestaciones”. El relator expresó su preocupación sobre el manejo en la práctica de las protestas. Durante su visita, recibió información de numerosos y variados ejemplos de violaciones cometidas por la policía durante protestas, incluyendo la fuerza excesiva y el acoso... Continue reading →
(Español) SANTIAGO/GENEVA – United Nations Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai today urged the Government of Chile to eliminate “vestiges of dictatorship” that are detrimental to the freedom of peaceful assembly in the country, and continue reforms so that the country can “take its rightful place as a global leader in human rights.” “Chile has made enormous strides since its return to democracy 25 years ago,” Mr. Kiai said at the end of the first visit* to the country by an independent expert tasked by the UN Human Rights Council with promoting the realization of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association worldwide. “However, there are still remnants of yesteryear that have no place in the Chile of today,” he noted. “The ghost of this era looms particularly large over the security sector, chiefly the police—and specifically the Special Forces—and their function in policing social conflicts and assemblies.” The expert expressed concern about Chile’s practical management of protests. During his visit, he was informed of numerous and varied examples of violations perpetrated by police during protests, including excessive force and harassment of activists. A particularly disturbing example, he said, was the July 2015 killing of Nelson Quichillao, a copper... Continue reading →
(English) SANTIAGO DE CHILE – Quisiera agradecer al Gobierno de la República de Chile por haberme invitado a realizar aquí esta misión oficial, mi primera al continente americano. Veo esto como una señal positiva de la disposición del Gobierno a participar de un diálogo constructivo sobre los derechos a la libertad de reunión pacífica y de asociación, entre otros derechos humanos. Soy el cuarto Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas a visitar Chile desde el mes de julio 2013, lo cual creo es indicio de la seriedad del Gobierno en su voluntad de cumplir con sus obligaciones acorde a la normativa internacional sobre derechos humanos. Quisiera además agradecer al Gobierno por su cooperación ejemplar en la organización de esta misión, particularmente a la luz del terremoto que golpeó a Chile el 16 de septiembre. La situación de emergencia resultante podría haber llevado a cancelar esta misión, pero no obstante, el Gobierno continuó adelante. He sostenido intercambios provechosos con miembros de los poderes ejecutivo, legislativo y judicial en Santiago, Valparaíso, Temuco y Copiapó. Además de haberme beneficiado inmensamente con la ayuda otorgada por el Instituto Nacional de Derechos Humanos (INDH). Les agradezco a todos por su tenacidad en asegurar que esta misión se haya podido... Continue reading →
(Español) SANTIAGO DE CHILE - I would like to thank the Government of the Republic of Chile for inviting me to undertake this official mission here, my first to the Americas. I view this as a positive sign of the Government’s willingness to engage in a constructive dialogue on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, among other human rights. I am the fourth UN Special Rapporteur to visit Chile since July 2013, which I believe is an indication that the Government is serious about meeting its obligations under international human rights law. I would also like to thank the Government for its exemplary cooperation in organizing the mission, particularly in light of the earthquake that struck Chile on 16 September. The resulting emergency situation could have led to the cancellation of this mission, but the Government pushed forward. I have had fruitful exchanges with the members of the executive, legislative and judicial branches in Santiago, Valparaiso, Temuco and Copiapo. I also benefitted immensely from the assistance of Chile’s excellent national human rights institution, the National Institute for Human Rights (Instituto Nacional de Derechos Humanos – INDH). I am grateful for everyone’s tenacity in making sure this mission went through as scheduled. In addition, I... Continue reading →
Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai undertook an official mission to the Republic of Chile Sept. 21-30, 2015. The visit was carried out pursuant to his mandate to assess the situation of freedoms of peaceful assembly and association in the country. The Special Rapporteur concluded his visit by urging the Government of Chile to eliminate “vestiges of dictatorship” that are detrimental to the freedom of peaceful assembly in the country, and continue reforms so that the country can “take its rightful place as a global leader in human rights.” “Chile has made enormous strides since its return to democracy 25 years ago,” Kiai said at the end of his visit. “However, there are still remnants of yesteryear that have no place in the Chile of today. The ghost of this era looms particularly large over the security sector, chiefly the police—and specifically the Special Forces—and their function in policing social conflicts and assemblies.” The expert's most pressing concerns centered around Chile’s practical management of protests. During his visit, he was informed of numerous and varied examples of violations perpetrated by police during protests, including excessive force and harassment of activists. The Special Rapporteur raised concerns over the use of identification checks by the... Continue reading →
(Inglés) GINEBRA – El Relator Especial de Naciones Unidas, Maina Kiai, visitará Chile del 21 al 30 de septiembre de 2015, en la que será la primera visita al país de un experto independiente encargado por el Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU de monitorear y promover la realización del derecho a la libertad de reunión pacífica y de asociación en todo el mundo. “En primer lugar, quisiera expresar mi solidaridad con el pueblo de Chile, tras el terremoto de esta semana. Mis sentimientos acompañan a todos aquellos que fueron afectados por este trágico evento,” dijo el Sr. Kiai. “El Consejo de Derechos Humanos ha exhortado a los Estados a respetar y proteger plenamente los derechos de todas las personas a reunirse pacíficamente y a asociarse libremente”, señaló el experto. “Esta visita me dará la oportunidad de evaluar en profundidad el disfrute de estos derechos en el país – como componente esencial de la democracia”. El Relator Especial, quien visita el país a invitación del Gobierno, tiene planeado viajar a Santiago, Temuco y Copiapó, pendiente de confirmación debido a la situación de emergencia provocada por el terremoto. Durante su visita de diez días, el Sr. Kiai se reunirá con funcionarios del Estado, incluyendo con la Presidenta Bachelet, con... Continue reading →
(Español) GENEVA – United Nations Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai will visit Chile from 21 to 30 September 2015, in what will be the first information-gathering visit to the country by an independent expert charged by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and promote the realization of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association worldwide. “I wish to first express my solidarity with the people of Chile following this week’s earthquake. My thoughts are with all those who were affected by this tragic event,” Mr. Kiai said. “The Human Rights Council has called upon States to respect and fully protect the rights of all individuals to assemble peacefully and associate freely,” the expert noted. “This visit will give me an opportunity to evaluate in-depth to what extend both rights – as essential components of democracy – are enjoyed in the country.” The Special Rapporteur, who visits the country at the invitation of the Government, is scheduled to travel to Santiago, Temuco and Copiapo, pending confirmation following the emergency situation caused by the earthquake. During his ten-day visit, Mr. Kiai will meet with State officials, including President Bachelet, with members of the judiciary and of Parliament, as well as representatives of the National Human... Continue reading →
