Little Progress in a Decade, "Presidential Candidates Should Enact a Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill"

The civil society is criticizing major presidential candidates for their lukewarm handling of an anti-discrimination bill. The anti-discrimination bill bans unreasonable discrimination based on gender, disability, disease, age, race, religion, ideology, sexual orientation, education, and social status in all areas of life including politics, economics, society, and culture according to the principle of equality stipulated in the Constitution. It is also called the "Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act" to distinguish it with the current Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities.

The Solidarity for the Enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act holds a press conference demanding the enactment of the "Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act" at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul on February 23. Yi Jun-heon

The Solidarity for the Enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act composed of forty civic groups held a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul on February 23 and announced, "We hope that the battle in this square will provide a forum where all people facing discrimination can come together, and we will raise our voices louder in calling for the enactment of the anti-discrimination act."

"Those encouraging discrimination ask presidential candidates 'Are you in favor of the anti-discrimination act, which supports sexual minorities and same-sex marriage?' as if it is a legitimate candidate verification process, and the candidates put forth their answers so as not to irritate them. Not enacting the anti-discrimination act empowers those who support or ignore the hatred, discrimination and violence against social minorities and gives them a just cause," argued the civic groups.

In Korea, lawmakers pursued the enactment of an anti-discrimination bill according to the recommendation of the UN Human Rights Council in 2007, but the bill failed to pass in the 17-19th National Assembly due to the opposition of the Christian community who objected to the term "sexual orientation," included in banning discrimination against sexual minorities. Recently, a strong presidential candidate Moon Jae-in, former leader of the Minjoo Party of Korea, and Ahn Hee-jung, governor of Chungcheongnam-do shared their position on the issue claiming that it was premature to discuss the bill stirring controversy.

Kim Ju-on, chairman of the Green Party's steering committee said, "To those who claim that it is premature, I would like to ask what efforts they made so far to obtain a social consensus." Hong Sung-soo, a professor of law at Sookmyung Women's University said, "If politicians who should be making responsible statements continue to display such attitudes, they will be isolating the minorities, not the haters. Even now, they should discuss how to resolve discrimination."

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