NHRCK Hosts '30th Anniversary of the Paris Principles International Conference'

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) announced on the 22nd that it will hold the "30th Anniversary International Conference on the Paris Principles" both online and offline to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Principles, which define the authority, independence, and operational methods of national human rights institutions.

Scheduled for the 23rd, this conference brings together experts from various fields including national human rights institutions, international organizations, academia, and civil society activists to reflect on the significance of the Paris Principles and explore the future direction for national human rights institutions. Additionally, in light of recent movements such as the abolition of human rights ordinances in some local governments, the conference will discuss ways to strengthen the roles of national human rights institutions and local governments in maintaining and developing regional human rights protection systems.

The conference will begin with an opening address by Song Doo-hwan, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, followed by congratulatory remarks from Maria Castillo Fernandez, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Korea, and Lee Kang-hyun, Chairperson of the National Council of Human Rights Committees of Metropolitan Governments. The conference sessions will be divided into "30th Anniversary of the Paris Principles: Roles and Development Directions of National Human Rights Institutions," "Roles and Challenges of Regional Human Rights Protection Systems," and "Localization of International Human Rights Norms and the Role of National Human Rights Institutions."

The conference will be attended by diplomatic envoys from 27 countries including Germany, representatives from international organizations, civil society groups, and local government officials. A representative from the NHRCK stated, "Participants will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the significance of the Paris Principles and the roles of national human rights institutions, as well as exchange diverse opinions on human rights protection at the regional level."

The Paris Principles were established at the 1st World Conference of National Human Rights Institutions held in Paris in 1992 and adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 20, 1993. They set forth the "Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions," defining the authority, independence, and operational methods of national human rights institutions.

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