91997E3970

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3970/97 by James Nicholson (I-EDN) to the Council (15 December 1997)

Subject: Ahn Jae-Ku

Ahn Jae-Ku was arrested in June 1994 and charged under South Korea's National Security Law. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in November 1994. Human Rights groups claim that Ahn Jae-Ku has been imprisoned for the non-violent exercise of freedom of expression and association and that he is being held in below standard conditions.

Given that South Korea has ratified several international treaties and conventions guaranteeing human rights, what is the Council's opinion on the imprisonment of Ahn Jae Ku?

Answer (17 March 1998)

The Council attaches great importance to the strict adherence to human rights by all countries. Those countries which have signed international conventions and treaties guaranteeing human rights have publicly committed themselves to uphold these rights.

The Council is aware that arrests are made under the National Security Law of South Korea. The Council has repeatedly raised its objections to this law which can be seen as a reflection of the historically tense situation on the Korean Peninsula. The Council hopes that a solution may be found following the start of the Four-Party talks in Geneva.

The Council has no specific opinion regarding the imprisonment of Ahn Jae Ku, given that it has not received information about charges or about the conditions of his imprisonment.