Amnesty G48 February Meeting Minutes
February 2, 3rd Floor, St. Bede, Hyehwa
Meeting Theme: Women’s Rights in Korea
Review of Past Month‘s Actions
G48 was inactive as a group over the last month. Unfortunately, planned actions were not completed due to a lack of interest. Let’s get active!!!!!
Petition Signing
A petition calling on the United States government to close Guantanamo Bay was signed by those present. It was decided that those people who present on a topic during the monthly meeting will also write up a related petition to be signed by the group.
Theme Discussion: Women’s Rights in Korea Stop Violence Against Women (Yoon Min-Kyung, AI Korea‘s SVAW Campaign Coordinator)
Min-Kyung spoke to us about AI international focus for the next year, including improving access to education for women (safe schools for girls campaign November 2007 – March 2008) and general SVAW campaign. Please see attached documents.Sharing House (Angela Lytle, Sharing House Volunteer and G48er)Sharing House was founded to facilitate the weekly Wednesday protests outside the Japanese Embassy and provide shelter for those affected by sexual slavery crimes committed by the Japanese during WWII. Unfortunately, two of the halmoni residing at Sharing House are currently hospitalized due to failing health. This emphasizes the urgency of their struggle and is causing further demoralization, as they would like to see tangible results from their ongoing efforts.Angela explained what a visit to Sharing House consists of: historical education, museum visit, and live testimony from a halmoni (dependent on health and availability). She said that while we would all benefit from such a visit, there are also many other ways to help. The house needs volunteers to help run the website, revamp the museum, write up petition letters to governments, ministers and international bodies, and do translation work (including secondary editing). The house also welcomes new volunteer guides and there will be a training day in April for those interested. For more information email sharinghouse@gmail.com or visit their website at http://comfortwomen.wordpress.com/. G48 group visit planned for either March 23 or April 20 (both Sundays) – PLEASE EMAIL TOM WITH YOUR PREFERENCE (see actions).
MINKAHYUP – Mothers of Prisoners of Conscience (Ms. Han Ji-Yun, MINKAHYUP)
MINKAHYUP was founded in 1985 by the mothers of those detained and interrogated by state actors such as the KCIA. They have long been at the forefront of Korea’s struggle for democracy and consider themselves ‘human rights ambulances’, combating torture, arbitrary arrest, and unfair trails – through which many members have been injured and suffered personal human rights abuses in defense of their cause. Human rights abuses have now been reduced thanks in part to the efforts of MINKAHYUP. Since 1993 the group has held a Thursday rally in Tapgol (Pagoda) Park in Jongno to protest the National Security Law. Please see actions.MINKAHYUP’s current foci are on fabricated spy cases and providing medical treatment to victims of torture.
National Security Law (Mr. Sung, G48 Founder)
Mr. Sung discussed the draconian NSL which is still in effect in South Korea. It was discussed that this law encroaches on human rights in a number of ways, particularly related to basic freedoms of expression, and that it takes a very strong anti-unification stance towards North Korea. This law has been invoked many times in the past to arrest and imprison student activists and others. Its general abolishment is favored and it was also stated that there are many other existing laws which guarantee national security without jeopardizing basic freedoms.
The Crisis in Gaza (Tom, G48 Coordinator)
The current crisis in Gaza was outlined briefly and it was discussed that there is no real solidarity movement evident in Seoul. Ms. Ji-Yun is going to send some information to G48 relating to a small group which works on this issue in Seoul and we will attempt to establish a relationship in order to be active on this issue in the future. Henry suggested that there is a Christian group which is going to visit Palestine this year that we should get in touch with. Angela suggested visiting the Muslim community in Seoul.
National Human Rights Commission (Michael Solis, NHRC)
Korea’s NHRC is one of the most successful in the world. It independence is currently being threatened by the newly-elected Grand National administration, which wants to place it under centralized control. There is much resistance to this by the current NHRC staff. Michael emailed Tom and Angela an article that he has written criticizing this proposal (for review).
SUMARY OF FUTURE ACTIONS
- Feb 13 – 800th Wednesday (‘comfort women’) protest against sexual slavery, 12pm, Japanese Embassy, 18-11 Choonghak-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Feb 14 – MINKAHYUP Thursday rally against the National Security Law, 2pm, Tapgol (Pagoda) Park, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Feb 21 – MTU solidarity vigil followed by visit to sit-in protest venue at KCTU, 6.30pm Gwanghwamun/Singil (exact details to be confirmed)
- March 23 / April 20th – G48 group Sharing House visit – PLEASE VOTE ON THE BEST DATE BY EMAILING THE GROUP
- ASAP – Letters, articles etc on NSL to be written in English and emailed to Mr. Sung who has offered to translate them into Korean for publication in Korea newspapers
Any Other Business ACTIVISM CALENDAR
| 08/03 | International women’s day – 100th anniversary |
| 21/03 | Global day to eradicate racial discrimination |
| 20/04 | Disabled persons’ day |
| 21/05 | Global day for multiculturalism |
| 20/06 | Global refugees’ day |
| 09/08 | Global indigenous peoples’ day |
| 21/09 | Global day for world peace |
| 17/10 | Global day to eradicate poverty |
| 25/11 | Global day to stop violence against women |
| 25/12 | Global migrant workers’ day |
Please be aware that this was translated literally from Korean and may not be completely accurate – the gist has been preserved!
Date of Next Meeting: March 1, 2008, 3rd Floor, St. Bede, Hyehwa, 4pm.
