Minbyun Submits Petition to UN: "Ban on Assemblies is a Human Rights Violation... Urges Response"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun) appealed to international organizations, stating that the police's policy to ban assemblies and demonstrations in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office is a human rights violation.

On the 17th, Minbyun announced that it submitted a petition regarding the police's policy banning assemblies and demonstrations within 100 meters of the Yongsan Office to Cl?ment Buyle, the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right to peaceful assembly and association.

Minbyun stated, "We submitted a petition arguing that the police's policy violates the right to peaceful assembly guaranteed under Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)." They added, "We ask the UN Special Rapporteur to express concern to the government and recommend the police revoke the assembly ban policy."

The UN Special Rapporteur can send letters to the government demanding appropriate measures in accordance with international human rights standards and cessation of human rights violations when such cases occur. In more urgent situations, they can also issue public statements or request emergency actions.

Minbyun said, "The police's policy banning assemblies near the Presidential Office lacks legal grounds," and "The petition includes that this policy violates the fundamental principle that assemblies in public places should be basically guaranteed, as well as the principles of necessity and proportionality."

Previously, the police have been prohibiting assembly reports based on Article 11 of the Assembly and Demonstration Act (Jipsibeop), which bans outdoor assemblies within 100 meters of the presidential residence, considering the office to be included within the residence's scope. Although the Seoul Administrative Court ruled that the office is not included in the residence, the police immediately appealed and continue to enforce the assembly ban policy.

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