Human Rights Commission of Police: "Freedom of Assembly and Demonstration Must Be Guaranteed Even in Infectious Disease Crisis Situations"

On the afternoon of the 13th, members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) demanded a complete revision of the Labor Union Act and improvements in working conditions at the National Workers' Rally held at the Heunginjimun intersection in Dongdaemun, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The Police Human Rights Committee (Police Human Rights Commission) has expressed the opinion that the freedom of assembly and demonstration must be guaranteed even amid the COVID-19 quarantine crisis.

The Police Human Rights Committee recently held a regular meeting and announced on the 24th that it decided to express its opinion to Police Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong, stating, "Even in the infectious disease crisis caused by COVID-19, the constitutional right to freedom of assembly and demonstration must be guaranteed."

The Police Human Rights Committee urged the police to actively seek ways to harmonize the constitutional right of the people to freedom of assembly and demonstration with the prevention of infectious disease spread, amid the reality of restrictions on assemblies and demonstrations. It also requested that police, in principle, refrain from using police barricades to block gatherings, and actively guarantee the freedom of assembly and demonstration by, for example, refraining from issuing prohibition orders if the organizers comply with quarantine guidelines.

The Police Human Rights Committee pointed out, "Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the police have effectively banned most assemblies with a consistent stance of strict response and strict judicial measures," and added, "Although the government recently allowed a significant increase in sports and cultural events under certain conditions as part of the phased return to normal life (With COVID-19) policy, only the police have not accepted these changes."

It further stated, "The appropriate attitude of the police toward assemblies and demonstrations in the COVID-19 era is to guarantee assemblies and demonstrations on the condition of compliance with quarantine guidelines such as 'wearing masks' and 'maintaining social distancing,' and to spare no effort to cooperate so that the organizers can comply with these conditions. If the organizers violate these conditions or engage in illegal acts related to the spread of infectious diseases, they should be held strictly accountable."

Moon Kyung-ran, Chairperson of the Police Human Rights Committee, said, "Some people say, 'What assembly during the COVID era?' but assemblies and demonstrations are the last channel for people whose inequality has deepened, whose right to survival is threatened, and who face discrimination due to COVID-19 to voice their concerns," adding, "Rather than unconditionally blocking assemblies and demonstrations for quarantine reasons, active measures should be sought to harmonize the constitutional right to freedom of assembly and demonstration."

Meanwhile, with the implementation of With COVID-19, assemblies and demonstrations have been allowed from this month if fewer than 100 people participate, and gatherings of up to 499 people are permitted if all participants are fully vaccinated or have confirmed negative test results.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.