91997E3761

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3761/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Council (24 November 1997)

Subject: Arrest of human rights activist in South Korea

Suh Jun-Sik, one of the organizers of the recent Sarangbang Human Rights Film Festival, was arrested by South Korean police on 4 November 1997.

He had previously served a prison sentence on charges relating to his peaceful work for human rights. His latest arrest warrant referred to the film festival he had organized, accused him of 'benefitting' North Korea and of failing to report regularly to the police under the terms of his previous release.

Five others had previously been detained during the film festival, shown in Seoul in October, after the organizers refused to submit their films for government censorship.

Can the Council outline what action it is taking on the case of Suh Jun-Sik and to defend freedom of expression in South Korea?

Answer (19 March 1998)

The Council shares the Honourable Member's concern about respect for human rights. The case to which she refers in her question * and all other cases of alleged lack of respect for individual human rights * deserve the closest attention. The case could, if substantiated, of course be raised in the ongoing contacts the Union has with the South Korean government.