In an article from “Hankyeoreh,” it is reported that the South Korean National Human Rights Commission (NHRCK) has stated that it will keep its response to the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) confidential, citing procedural regulations. However, the article reveals that for over a decade, a significant number of such matters have actually been discussed and decided upon publicly. This has led to criticisms of the NHRCK for allegedly misinterpreting the confidentiality rules of the SCA meetings.
The article details how, historically, the NHRCK has handled nearly half of such matters publicly. Examples cited include reports and document submissions from 2013 and 2014, as well as the procedures followed in 2021 under former leadership. These cases show that the NHRCK has previously engaged in public deliberation and resolution regarding its interactions with GANHRI.
There’s internal dissent within the NHRCK about the current non-disclosure stance. For instance, an employee questioned on an internal bulletin board why the organization is refraining from public discussion, emphasizing that confidentiality at SCA meetings should not necessarily imply confidentiality of the materials submitted.
Furthermore, the process for preparing for the GANHRI review is depicted as rushed, without adequate deliberation. The current NHRCK Chairman, Ahn Chang-ho, deferred the discussion from the Executive Committee to a full commission meeting set just before the submission deadline, deviating from prior procedures. Concerns were expressed about the lack of a chief legal officer for the review process, contrary to the practices during the 2013 review, which had designated a specific officer to lead the preparation of responses.
This controversy underscores a broader ongoing discussion about transparency and adherence to internal and external procedures within the NHRCK.