This statement was
issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights based in
Geneva on 3 May 2010.
This statement was
issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights based in
Geneva on 3 May 2010.
UN Special Rapporteur Frank La Rue will launch a fact-finding
mission to the Republic of Korea from 6 to 17 May 2010, in what will be
the first visit to the country in fifteen years by a UN envoy mandated
to monitor the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of
opinion and expression.
"It will be a good opportunity to assess
the progress in enhancing
the right to freedom of expression in the Republic of Korea fifteen
years since my predecessor visited the country, particularly in the
current context where the use of the Internet has become widespread,"
said Mr. La Rue, noting that the first visit by the Special Rapporteur
on freedom of opinion and expression was to the Republic of Korea in
1995.
"During my mission, I will gather first-hand information on
the
situation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of
the media, and the related right to freedom of assembly and
association," said the independent expert. He added that the main
purpose of the mission is to "contribute, through collaborative
engagement with the Government, on ways and means of better enhancing
the enjoyment of the rights related to my mandate in the country."
The
Special Rapporteur's mission will take him to the cities of
Seoul and Gwang-ju. Mr. La Rue, who will visit the country at the
invitation of the Government, will meet with representatives of national
and local authorities, and with members of the legislative and judicial
branches. He will also hold discussions with non-governmental
organizations, journalists and press organizations, and other
organizations and individuals working in areas related to his mandate.
The
Special Rapporteur will submit to the Human Rights Council in
2011 a final report on his visit to the Republic of Korea.
A press
conference will be held at 14h30 on 17 May 2010 at the
Foreign Correspondents' Club in Seoul (18F, Korea Press Center Building,
Taepyongno-1Ga, Jung-Gu, Seoul).
