Human Rights Commissioner Candidate Ahn Chang-ho: "Will Faithfully Fulfill the Role of the National Human Rights Institution"

Opening Remarks at the National Assembly Confirmation Hearing on the 3rd

Candidate Ahn Chang-ho for the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) stated, "I intend to review the internal operational difficulties faced by the NHRC and build a robust organization to faithfully fulfill the role of the national human rights institution."

Ahn Chang-ho, the nominee for the National Human Rights Commission Chairman, is taking the oath at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly Steering Committee in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 3rd.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 3rd, during his opening remarks at the National Assembly confirmation hearing, Candidate Ahn said, "I will carefully consider the demands of various sectors of society, gather wisdom together with many human rights commissioners and members, and communicate broadly and cooperate deeply with many people." He added, "I will respect the standards and decisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and the international human rights treaties that Korea has acceded to and ratified, and strive to implement them domestically."

Candidate Ahn also emphasized that, seemingly aware of the qualifications controversy raised by opposition parties and civic groups, he has kept human rights in mind while working as a prosecutor and constitutional court justice.

He said, "I began my public service career as a prosecutor in 1985. Even while conducting investigations as a prosecutor, I can say that I considered the human rights of suspects," adding, "I always emphasized that while understanding the pain of victims, the human rights of suspects must not be ignored." He continued, "As a constitutional court justice, I used the constitutional spirit of human dignity and the guarantee of fundamental human rights as the standard for judgment and made my best efforts to enhance the human rights of economically and socially disadvantaged groups," and stated, "I am confident that my duties as a constitutional court justice will serve as a foundation for realizing human rights values as the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission."

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