1 day Ago By [email protected](KoreaTimes)
National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) building / Courtesy of NHRCK The state human rights watchdog on Thursday called on police to provide appropriate communication tools to the visually impaired or have them be accompanied by guardians during police questioning. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) said it has made the recommendation in response to a petition filed by a blind person who claimed to have been discriminated against during police questioning after falling victim to a traffic accident. The petitioner was hit while walking along a road in Seoul when a car coming from behind brushed against the petitioner's arm with its right side-view mirror in March last year.
When the petitioner appeared for an interview with police, the officer in charge did not elaborate on the rights of the victims of traffic accidents or ask whether to call in guardians who could help with the testifying process. The officer reportedly handed out printouts despite knowing the petitioner was visually impaired and shared the personal information of the petitioner with the perpetrator's insurance company, prompting the petitioner to file a complaint with the rights watchdog. Police claimed the handout explained the rights of victims under criminal proceedings, and that they had only given the petitioner's name and phone number to the insurance company to make a claim for compensation.
The police officer also said they would have arranged for someone who could help with the testimony if such a request was made. The human rights watchdog said police should have explained in detail how they could help and that giving out personal information of the petitioner without consent is a violation of the right to self-determination of personal information. The NHRCK urged the National Police Agency chief to have police officers provide pertinent communication tools for the blind and to have a helper stand by to help them testify during questioning.
(Yonhap).
