Song Doohwan, Human Rights Commissioner, "Discrimination and Hate Against Sexual Minorities Must Not Be Tolerated"

17th 'International Day Against Homophobia'

Song Doo-hwan, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, issued a statement on the 17th in observance of the "International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia," saying, "Discrimination and hatred undermine the dignity of the social minorities targeted," and emphasized, "Discrimination and hatred against sexual minorities must not be tolerated."

Song Doo-hwan, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairperson Song expressed concern, citing the absence of policies to promote the human rights of sexual minorities in the 4th National Human Rights Policy Basic Plan announced last March, as well as the disposal of 2,500 copies of 67 types of sex education books in some schools in Gyeonggi Province, stating, "These series of measures seem to indicate a refusal to recognize sexual minorities as members of our society."

He also evaluated positively the ruling by the Seoul High Court in February last year, which recognized the qualification of same-sex spouses as dependents under health insurance, as a positive change in the promotion of sexual minority rights.

Chairperson Song said, "We must uphold human dignity and value, as well as the fundamental democratic values of diversity and respect for human rights," and added, "The National Human Rights Commission will continue to strive to guarantee the human rights of sexual minorities."

The "International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia" is commemorated by sexual minority communities to oppose discrimination and hatred against sexual minorities, marking the day when the World Health Organization (WHO) removed 'homosexuality' from the list of mental disorders on May 17, 1990.

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