Human Rights
Why do human rights matter in UK foreign policy?
We believe that the UK's national interest is promoted, not hindered, by a commitment to human rights. Ensuring global respect for human rights is an important element to our goal of preventing conflict, countering terrorism, reducing poverty and tackling climate change.
Where states fail to guarantee the basic human rights of life, security and the rule of law they threaten the security of their region and the world. A state where people can choose their own leaders is far less prey to famine and crippling poverty; it is less likely to harbour terrorists and organised criminals, or to attack its neighbours. Countries which represent and respect human rights and the rule of law are better trading partners; better places for our citizens to visit, and they better respect international rules and standards.
Advocating human rights is also a moral obligation - the United Nations Charter requires its members to promote 'the universal respect for, and observance of the human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion'.
What about human rights and the Republic of Korea?
Korea's success is not only economic; it stands out as a regional model for human rights and democracy. We applaud Korea's comprehensive national framework for the protection of human rights and value its partnership in international arenas like the United Nations Human Rights Council. We welcome Prime Minister Han's pledge at the May 2009 World Civic Forum to expand its role in the international arena and become a vanguard of human rights policy in Asia. We encourage Korea to share its best practice internationally.
South Korea should be proud of its history of no executions for over eleven years, but we urge it to show real regional leadership and move from being 'abolitionist in practice' to abolish the death penalty in law.
What kind of work does the British Embassy do on human rights in Korea?
Our activities over the past year include:
- Funding research into children's rights in North Korea
- Delivering speeches on the importance of human rights in foreign policy at Korea University and Yonsei University
- Speaking at a National Assembly Seminar on World Death Penalty Day
- Speaking at events to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Holding a Human Rights photo competition
- Supporting a study tour of the UK by education specialists in Korea to examine human rights in the UK education system
- Hosting a visit from Alistair Carmichael MP, Chair of the UK Parliament's All Party Group for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, where he spoke at a National Assembly seminar on human rights
On 3rd July 2009, we will partner with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Communications Commission to host a seminar on the freedom of expression in the internet age.
Where can I find out more?
For more information about human rights see:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Pages/WhatareHumanRights.aspx
For more information on human rights in British foreign policy see:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/fco-in-action/conflict/human-rights
To download a copy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Report on Human Rights see:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/pdf15/human-rights-2008
For more information on human rights in Korea see:
