Busan Human Rights 부산인권모임

Human Rights Day & Next Meeting

2010-12-10T12:14:00.005+09:00

Happy Human Rights Day!

December 10th is International Human Rights Day, to commemorate the signing

of the 1948 adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights. Read the Universal Declaration here:

(English) (Korean) (Mandarin Chinese) (Japanese)

This year's Human Rights Day's theme is human rights defenders who act to end

discrimination. Learn more about today's worldwide events and celebrations from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights here.

Today is also the day the Nobel Peace Prize is to be awarded in Oslo to Chinese activist

and writer Liu Xiaobo, now in prison in China. 19 countries are not attending this

year's ceremony, possibly because of Chinese threats of "consequences" if diplomats

attend the ceremony. Read more here:

We'd also like to invite you to the next Busan Human Rights meeting. We'll be

getting together Saturday, Dec. 18th, from 12-2pm at the Coffee Bean in Seomyeon

(by Judies Taehwa). It'll be an open discussion for people to ask questions about

human rights and share their opinions. Everyone is welcome.

Here are directions to the meeting place:

Where: Seomyeon Coffee Bean, by the Judies Taehwa store(and next to Holly's). Exit Seomyeon station #2 and walk for about 2 minutes. It's also the Seomyeon stop for buses 83-1 (Millak), 86, 103 (Busan station), and 133 (Deokcheon). More buses stop just down the street. By taxi, ask for Seomyeon, Judies Taehwa, and walk towards Seomyeon station.

When: Saturday, Dec. 18th, 12-2pm.

Contact info: Will: faraji85@hanmail.net (010-7629-7479).

Busan Human Rights meeting - Seomyeon Nov. 27th

2010-11-11T12:15:00.003+09:00

Do you care about stuff? People all over the world are working every day to improve people's living conditions. If you'd like to learn more about all the great things that are being done to protect people's rights, ask questions and share your opinions, we'd love to talk with you. We're a local group of people who like learning about solutions to some of the world's problems, and meeting other people who care about the world, too. We're all busy, the same as you, so if you have time for a coffee and conversation, that's all the time we ask. We meet one Saturday a month for 2 hours. We'd love to see you there. No need to RSVP, just stop by if you have time. Here are the details:

When: Saturday, Nov. 27th, 12-2 pm.

Do I need to bring anything? Nope.

Contact info: Will: faraji85@hanmail.net (010-7629-7479).

Busan Human Rights Get-Together: Share Your Ideas!

2010-10-09T10:41:00.003+09:00

Are you tired of the bar scene? Do you want to meet other people

who are interested in helping people, and talking about topics of

real impact? Then you're exactly who we're looking for.

I'd like to invite you to a meet-up in Seomyeon on Saturday, October 23rd.

This isn't a formal group meeting, but a chance to get together and talk about

what you're interested in, what you'd like to know more about, and how

you'd like our meetings to go. We want our meetings to be fun, interactive,

and inspiring. The only thing we're assuming is that you're interested in

talking about social and political problems, here in Korea and worldwide,

and that you're concerned about other people's freedom to live decent lives.

That's it, no further expertise required.

If you've got some time on the 23rd to stop by for a coffee, we'd love to see

you. The meet-up will go from 12:00-2 pm. If you've got a few minutes then,

please drop by and say hi.

Contact: Will - champollion22@gmail.com

Here are the details:

When: Saturday, October 23, 12:00-2:00 pm

Where: Seomyeon, at the Coffee Bean coffee shop by Judies Taehwa and Dong-Bo bookshop.

Directions: By subway, the easiest way is to take exit 2 from Seomyeon station.

This is where the subway station ends and the underground shopping center

starts. At the top of the stairs you'll see a Woori Bank on your left and a Tous Les Jours

bakery. Walk straight (south), past the bakery and past Dong-Bo books (동보서적) and you'll

see the Coffee Bean on your left, next to Holly's. If you come to Judies Taehwa on the

corner, that's too far. It's only 1 or 2 minutes from Seomyeon station.

By Bus: There's a bus stop in front of the coffee shop for buses 83-1 (from Millak),

86, 103 (from Busan station), and 133 (from Deokcheon = 덕천). The bus stop is

called Seomyeon (서면) for all the bus lines. Other buses have a stop near Judies Taehwa

very near the coffee shop.

By Taxi: Ask for Seomyeon, Judies Taehwa (서면, 쥬디스 태화). Get out at Judies

Taehwa and head toward Seomyeon station. The coffee shop is just ahead of you on

the right.

*note- Seomyeon station exit 2 is labeled with a small #2 at the bottom of the stairs,

but is labeled Daehyun Primall gate 7 at the top of the stairs. It's the same exit.

May 16th - Dongria Kondh Presentation

2010-05-10T16:20:00.003+09:00

This month's meeting will be at Busan Racetrack. We will meet at 11:30 a.m at Hadan subway station Exit 6 and will take a bus from there.

Thomas will be presenting some information about the Dongria Kondh Indian tribe. Below is a 11 minute video to help familiarize yourself about this potentially displaced community.

As well, if you are interested in placing bets at the track, please make sure you bring money and ID.

Finally, I believe there will be a lantern parade for Buddha's birthday happening later that evening. All are welcome to join me later (Jason)!

race-track and somthing meaningful?

2010-04-27T00:41:00.006+09:00

Hi, guys~~.

We are going to have May meeting at Busan racetrack park on 16th!

Of course, we will have a chance to bet on thrilling-races.

You may make a fortune!

And we want to do something meaningful for human rights during the happy experience.

So we need your idea about our activities on the day.

What could be Good?

Please, post your idea!

Nepal New Year Festival

2010-04-24T21:18:00.001+09:00

Thanks to the kind invitation of our friend and BHR member Ujwal (John) Adhikari, BHR members attended the Nepali New Year's celebration, held by the National Coordination Council, a Nepali organization in Korea, on April 18th. The organization hosted a gathering of around 100 people and featured traditional Nepalese singing, dancing, and of course, a delicious dinner for all. BHR members were welcomed warmly and we all had a good time. Thanks to Ujwal and the NCC!

Good Looking People

2010-04-05T23:27:00.002+09:00

General Meeting Minutes (March 2010)

2010-04-01T10:38:00.007+09:00

General Meeting MinutesBusan Human Rights
(General Meeting Minutes: March 27, 2010)(17:00, Tenz, Norazo Design Academy Building)
Participants:
Duncan, Hyun-Ju, Jason L., Jason M., John, Jung-Ju, Maiko, Marc-Andre, Michael, Michelle, Taniya, Thomas, Tom, Will
Proceedings:
Meeting called to order at 17:30 by Will
Introductions led by Will
Presentation on vegetarianism led by Marc-Andre (more info www.goveg.com / www.peta.org / Video)
Petition letters signed for Johan Teterissa (Indonesia) (more info Korean / English / Video); Heshmatollah Tabarzadi (Iran); Obtilia Eugenio Manue (Mexico); Deogratias Mushayidi (Rwanda); Mohammad Javad Larijani (Iraq); Abed al-Hafith (Kurdistan).
Presentation on world hunger led by Will (more info www.wfp.org / www.freeflour.com)
Meeting adjourned at 20:00
Next meeting will be held on April 24, 2010 (more details to follow).
Minutes submitted by Marc-Andre P.
Please report any typos, misspelt or erroneous information as well as omissions to Marc-Andre P. (marcandrepaquin (at) gmail (dot) com)

Sex Workers in Busan?

2010-03-30T19:01:00.004+09:00

I'm currently talking to Amy, who's interested in organizing/helping sex workers in Busan. She has a few questions:

Are there sex workers in Busan?
What's the situation?
Are there any humanitarian groups related to sex workers?

Does anybody have any more information about this? Websites, phone numbers, gossip?

She writes "I was hoping to find something like that in Busan, I've read that their red-light district is a big source/destination for trafficked women and thought that I might be able to find a place to volunteer. Do you happen to know of any? If not, what do you think the possibility of starting something up within your group would be? Even if it's just teaching English/job skills to underprivileged girls so they don't wind up in an abusive situation."

Please help out! Leave a comment below.

Korea's Overseas Volunteer Corps 3rd Largest in World

2010-03-26T14:44:00.001+09:00

Korea's corps of overseas volunteers is the third largest in the world, statistics revealed on Sunday. According to the statistics by the state-run Korea International Cooperation Agency, Korea sends 1,000 new volunteers to 43 countries every year, third only to the Peace Corps of the U.S. (3,801 volunteers to 72 countries) and the Japan's Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (2,000 volunteers).

Even when considering the total number of volunteers at work, as volunteers usually have a two-year contract with the KOICA, Korea still ranks third with 1,538 volunteers in 43 countries. The U.S. has 8,079 volunteers in 74 countries, and Japan has 3,147 in 77 countries. Germany is in fourth place with 970 volunteers in 42 countries.

Full Chosun Ilbo article:
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/03/22/2010032200764.html

KOICA's website:
http://www.koica.go.kr/english/main.html

Over Half of Young People Ignorant About Korean War

2010-03-26T14:34:00.002+09:00

More than half of South Korea's young people know little or nothing about the defining moment in their country's history, a fresh survey confirms. In a Gallup poll of 1,703 people nationwide over 13 for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, only 60.9 percent of respondents correctly answered that it broke out in 1950, but 39.1 percent did not know when it broke out or gave a wrong answer.

Among teenagers, 62.9 percent did not know when the war started, and among those in their 20s the figure was 58.2 percent.

Full Chosun Ilbo article:
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/03/25/2010032500349.html

Google Closes Censored Search Engine in China

2010-03-23T08:56:00.003+09:00

Google has made good on its threat to close google.cn, the search site it

was running in China. The site's search results were censored, with searches

for terms like 'human rights' and 'Tienanmen Square Massacre' coming up empty.

The site had also been attacked multiple times by hackers, with human rights

activists' private Gmail accounts broken into by hackers within China. The Chinese

government has denied responsibility for the attacks. Google's chief legal officer says

"it seems that things are getting tighter for open expression and freedom."

Read the New York Times article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/technology/23google.html?pagewanted=1&hp

March Monthly Meeting on Saturday 27, 5pm

2010-03-19T15:51:00.001+09:00

We meet monthly to share information on important human rights situations around the world and to write letters to important officials. (It works, trust us). We also discuss other ways of getting involved, working with local groups to improve human rights situations wherever we can. The topics are serious but the atmosphere is casual.

Our members will be leading this month's presentation about the interconnected relationships among vegetarianism, animals, environment, world hunger and worker's rights. Of course, we'll have a time writing letters for conscientious prisoners in the world.

If you are interested in alternative ideas, or human rights, don't hesitate to join us. We always welcome new comers. Feel free and bring a friend!
We hope you can have a happy and meaningful time.

Meeting place: 5 pm, Saturday 27th, Tenz at Norazo design Academy building at Seomyeon (Please, get out of Exit 2 of the subway station)
Agenda: Presentation" & writing letters
Cost: 6000 won (3000 place rent, 3000 Postage)
Bring: a pen for writing letters, snacks to share
Contact: Jason (English) 010-75953343, jasoninglee@yahoo.com/ Thomas Moon
(Korean) 010-8008-0928 (text msg only), monkton@naver.com

WWF Earth Hour

2010-03-19T15:45:00.002+09:00

The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) is hosting Earth hour, which asks people to turn off all of their electrical lights at the same time around the world.

The time for this is at March, Saturday 27 @ 8:30pm.

For more information: http://www.earthhourkorea.org/

Would this conflict with our meeting/dinner schedule?

2010-03-04T23:12:00.002+09:00

General Meeting Minutes (February 2010)

2010-03-03T22:47:00.008+09:00

General Meeting MinutesBusan Human Rights
(General Meeting Minutes: February 27, 2010)
(17:00, Norazo Design Academy)

Participants:

Austin, Cheryl, Hui-jin, Hyun-ju, In-seong, Jason L., Jason M., Jin-o, Marc-Andre, Sukyeong, Taniya, Thomas, Tom, Will, Zeb

Proceedings:

Meeting called to order at 17:30 by Thomas
Introductions / Icebreaking activity led by Thomas
Petition letters signed for Ingrid Vergara (Colombia); Zhao Lianhai (China); Usra al-Hassani (Syria); Kurdish political activists (Syria); leaders of the Resistance Front for the Defense of Natural Resources and People's Right, aka, FRENA (Guatemala)
Film presentation: 'Taebaek Mountains'
Meeting adjourned at 20:00

Next meeting will be held on March 27, 2010 (more details to follow).

Minutes submitted by Marc-Andre P.

Please report any typos, misspelt or erroneous information as well as omissions to Marc-Andre P. (marcandrepaquin (at) gmail (dot) com)

Bring your creative idea!

2010-02-25T15:39:00.002+09:00

"Let's share your valuable knowlodge together!"

From this month, we will have a nice time to share each member's experience, knowlodge, information and idea with other members in turns at our monthly meeting. The Project means various programs to share your valuable knowlodge together. From interesting games, stories, films, lifestyle to enviromental issues, global issues and so on, whatever you want to share! Of course, if it is related with Human rights or peace, it would probably be nice, but you don't need to limit your subject to those categories. The project could take 20minutes to 1hour, but if you'd like to prepare something like a film, it could take much longer time. Please, give us a fun with your creative idea.
This time is my turn with the film. ^^ Pleas Bring your creative idea for the next meetings!

February Monthly Meeting - 5 pm, Saturday 27th

2010-02-18T00:58:00.001+09:00

This time we will watch a classic film which could explains conflicts between leftists and rightists after independence from Japan. The history still has a legacy in present conflict structures of Korean politics. Of course, we'll have a time writing letters for conscientious prisoners in the world.

If you are interested in Korean culture history, or human rights, don't hesitate to join us. We always welcome new comers. Feel free and bring a friend!

We hope you can have a happy and meaningful time.

Meeting place: 5 pm, Saturday 27th, Tenz at Norazo design Academy building at Seomyeon (Please, get out of Exit 2 of the subway station)

Agenda: Watching a film "Taebaek Mountains" & writing letters

Cost: 6000 won (3000 place rent, 3000 Postage)

Bring: a pen for writing letters, snacks to share

Contact: Jason (English) 010-75953343, jasoninglee@yahoo.com/ Thomas Moon

(Korean) 010-8008-0928 (text msg only), monkton@naver.com

Human Rights Posters

2010-01-29T13:15:00.016+09:00

Summary of the January Meeting

2010-01-27T20:31:00.005+09:00

Armed with sunshine, crisp air, copious amounts of treats, and, of course, pens, we were ready for our adventures. The day began at Tongdo Fantasia with some sledding; and, although there were many collisions on the artificial-snow covered hill, I'm pleased to say that we all came out unscathed.
Next on our agenda was a visit to Tongdosa, one of the Three Jewel Temples of Korea. In addition to an insightful briefing on the temple's history by Will, we also had the good fortune of having two very kind hosts accompany us. Among the many highlights of our visit at Tongdo Temple was the ringing of the evening bell, the buddhist evening chants, and enjoying an energizing dinner provided by the temple's courteous staff.

While this did not leave a lot of time for writing, we still managed to send out four letters thanks to Thomas' forethought and planning.

Our next meeting will be February 27th - more details to come.

Will's debut!!! congratulations!!!

2010-01-16T17:28:00.002+09:00

full time student!

2010-01-15T23:19:00.003+09:00

hey, guys~
I quitted my part time job today~!
from now, i'm full-time student! :-) in another word, i'm a white-hand(백수,a jobless person). But I'm ready to rush toward June's battle!!!

2010-01-13T17:21:00.000+09:00

부산인권그룹 신년 모임안내 + 눈썰매 + 통도사 산책

안녕하세요. ^^ 부산인권그룹(BHRG)이 지난 12월 크리스마스 송년모임을 조촐하게 치루고, 다시 2010년 새해 첫 모임을 가집니다. 지난 모임에서는 뉴커머 수경님을 비롯 4인이 모였고, 토마스의 호주산 와인, 윌의 빅~! 크리스마스쿠키, 인성의 꿀맛 같은 반시로 맘껏 크리스마스 분위기를 낼 수 있었습니다. 너무 맛있게 잘 먹어서 못 오신 분들한테 미안할 정도였다는... ^^ ㅋㅎㅋㅎ

이번 신년모임에선 참가자들과 눈썰매 타러 갑니다. 통도 환타지아에서 초딩들과 신나게 눈썰매 타고, 3대 사찰 중 하나인 통도사의 고즈넉한 분위기도 느끼고. 좋죠? 안오시면 후회할 듯~. ㅋㅎㅋㅎ 물론 식사시간과 휴식시간에 전세계 양심수와 인도네시아 테테레사님을 위한 편지쓰기도 진행됩니다. 한국인 외국인 모두 편하고, 즐겁게 어울릴 수 있는 신년 첫모임이니 관심 있으신 분들이나 하루정도 함께 즐겁게 놀고 이야기 나누고 싶으신 분들 모두 환영합니다.

만날 장소: 23일(토) 12시 노포동 버스 터미널
프로 그램: 눈썰매타기, 통도사 산책, 편지쓰기, 올해 계획 준비하기
비 용: 2만원(눈썰매11000+통도사2000+버스4000+우편료3000)
준 비 물: 볼펜, 도시락이나 간식(나눠 먹게 많이 준비해주시면 좋아요.)
문 의: 토마스 010-8008-0928(문자로 주시면 감사) / monkton@naver.com

그럼 많이들 참가해 주시고, 함께 즐거운 시간 가져봅시당!
모두들 2010년 화이팅!

Google Threatens to Stop Operating in China

2010-01-13T15:02:00.004+09:00

Google has threatened to stop operating their search engine in China,
citing cyber attacks on private email accounts of Chinese human rights
activists, and the Chinese government's mandate that they censor
information on certain topics. These censored topics, which result
in a search coming up with no results, include the Dalai Lama and the
Tienanmen Square massacre. See the New York Times article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/world/asia/13beijing.html?ref=global-home

January meeting (winter sledding and Tongdo temple)

2010-01-12T22:23:00.004+09:00

Meeting spot: 12 pm, Saturday 23rd, Nopodong bus terminal

Agenda: Sledding at Tongdo Fantasia, visiting Tongdo-sa, writing letters, discussing this year's plan

Cost: 20000 won
(11000 sledding + 2000 temple entrance + 4000 bus fare + 3000 postage)

Bring: a pen for writing letters, lunch or snacks to share

Contact: Will (English)010-7629-7479, faraji85@hanmail.net

Thomas Moon (Korean) 010-8008-0928 (text msg only), monkton@naver.com

More information for Tond-do temple can be found at: http://www.tongdosa.or.kr/english/tongdotemple/history.asp

Koreabridge volunteering online broadcast

2010-01-12T15:52:00.002+09:00

Koreabridge is going to stream online volunteering opportunities. If you have free time, please listen in and take some notes for the rest of the group!

"Volunteering in Korea, Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1pm - We plan to stream a discussion about opportunities for volunteering and community service in Korea. Would love to discuss existing options and brainstorm other ways that expats and locals can contribute to the communities in which they live. Again, if anyone is willing to participate, please contact me at jeff@http://www.facebook.com/l/53a79;koreabridge.net

Both webcasts will take place at: http://www.facebook.com/l/53a79;koreabridge.net/live and participants can skype 'koreabridge' or call 070-7847-7361 to join the conversation."

Korean Immigrant Blog and Labor Documentaries online

2010-01-05T21:59:00.001+09:00

This blog about immigrants and human rights issues in Korea was introduced to me by my friend H.Y. It's mostly written in Korean. There are updates regarding specific solidarity actions taking place as well:
http://blog.jinbo.net/CINA

Here is also an interesting documentary (spoken Korean, English subtitles) about the labor movement in Korea:
Unite and Resist! Labor Struggle in Korea 노동운동 투쟁!

Enjoy!

the reply from Dr.Rafil Dhafir

2009-12-22T00:22:00.000+09:00

Dr.Rafil is the founder of the charity Help The Needy(HTN). He was working in USA as a medical doctor but he wanted to help starving and dying Iraqi children. But US Government started to investigate all muslim charity helping Iragi people and he was accused of violation of their sanction and he has been imprisoned.

We wrote a letter for him and he replied. ^^ if you click the image above you can find more details.

Accounts

2009-12-17T11:26:00.003+09:00

The balance carried over = 24,210 won

28 November
3,000 won for postage * 7 (Eunjin, Thomas, Will, John, Jason, Moon, Inseong) = 21,000 won : incomings

2 December
12 letters = 7,100 won : outgoings

The balance = 38,110 won

Campaign with Gaonnuri

2009-12-10T15:47:00.009+09:00

There was a campaign to mark Human Rights Day at Sasang subway station last Saturday. Some of Gaonnuri, a college students' voluntary organization promoted Amnesty International and got signatures for the Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado in Colombia. It is one of eight cases for a global letter-writing marathon. I spoke about Amnesty International and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights before the street campaign and joined it. You can see more information about a letter-writing marathon on the website of Amnesty International. http://www.amnesty.org/en/ai_search?keywords=marathon&form_id=search_theme_form&form_token=7579ecdedb4e4db1b7baa8f01bda93b0

Ungent Action website

2009-12-03T20:59:00.004+09:00

These sites below contain lots of urgent action cases which we have written letters about in our meetings.

We didn't have much time to be able to know their stuations and stories during the meetings.

So I posted the sites. Check them if you want.

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions.asp?Search=&ThemeID=1&Closed=0&SubWorldRegionID=&CountryID=&submitted=-1

http://www.amnesty.or.kr/d_mem_act/d0202.htm?method=UAboardList&boardid=d02&pageSize=7

[our individual case] JOHAN TETERISSA - Indonesia

2009-12-03T20:28:00.008+09:00

JOHAN TETERISSA - Indonesia

Johan Teterissa, a primary school teacher, is serving a 15-year sentence for leading a peaceful protest. He was arrested with 21 activists in 2007 during a government-organised event in Ambon, the capital of Maluku province, attended by the President of Indonesia. The protestors performed a traditional war dance and unfurled the Benang Raja flag, perceived by government authorities to be a symbol of the Republic of South Maluku independence movement.

The demonstrators were taken away by the police and tortured, beaten and imprisoned. Some were made to sign statements saying they did not need lawyers. All the activists plus nine others who participated in the event are serving prison sentences.

Please send a non-religious card to:
Johan TeterissaLapas Klas 1 Malang (Lowokwaru), Jl. Asahan No. 7 MalangJawa TimurIndonesia

from http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=11690

요한 테테리사는 인도네시아 대통령 앞에서 말루카 독립 깃발을 들고 평화로운 시위를 주도한 것으로 15년의 징역형을 받고 수감되어 있다. 요한과 함께 체포된 21명의 시위자들 중 20명도 재판을 받고 7년에서 20년형을 받았다. 이외에도 2007년 초부터 최소 48명의 사람들이 이와 비슷하게 깃발을 드는 의식을 진행하다가 체포되어 ‘반역’ 혐의로 수감되었다.

2007년 6월 29일, 정부는 말루쿠주의 수도인 암본시에서 가족의 날 기념행사를 개최했다. 독립광장에서 열린 이 기념행사에는 유도요노 대통령도 참석했다. 기념행사가 진행되는 동안에 요한 테테리사와 다른 21명의 독립운동가들은 행사장에 들어와 대통령 앞에서 전통 춤(출전을 위한 춤)을 추기 시작했다. 춤이 끝날 무렵 이들은 말루카 독립의 상징인 베낭 라자 깃발을 펼쳤다.

요한 테테리사를 포함한 22명은 대부분 교사와 농부들이었다. 이들은 20여명의 경찰과 경호원들에게 이끌려 나가서 총과 주먹으로 구타당했다. 이후에 트럭에 실렸는데, 거기서도 구타는 계속되었다.

믿을 만한 정보에 따르면 11일 동안 이들은 주 경찰, 시 경찰, 기동대의 주둔지인 탄투이 기지(Tantui) 등으로 계속 이송되었다. 탄투이 기지의 경우는 대태러 부대(Densus-88)가 함께 주둔하는 곳이었다. 이들은 이 세 곳 모두에서 고문 당했으며, 특히 대태러부대 요원들이 이들을 가혹하게 고문했다.

이들은 거기서 구타당하고, 뜨거운 아스팔트 위를 강제로 기어가고, 전깃줄로 채찍질 당했으며, 입에 당구공을 넣는 등의 고문을 당했다. 경찰은 총의 개머리판으로 이들의 머리가 피가 날 때까지 때렸으며, 귀 옆에다가 총을 발사해 이들의 청력에 손상을 가하기도 했다. 아직도 많은 이들이 부분적으로 청각을 상실한 상태다. 이들이 구금되었던 탄투이 기지는 바다에서 가까웠는데, 이들은 구타로 인해서 피를 흘리는 와중에 바다에 던져지기도 했다. 경찰은 고문할 것이라고 계속 위협하며 자백을 강요했다. 어떤 경우에는 총을 겨누고 자백을 강요하기도 했다. 이 기간 동안 이들은 외부와 완전히 차단되었으며, 어떠한 의료조치도 받을 수 없었다.

7월 9일, 공식적인 경찰의 신문이 시작되었고, 경찰은 곧 22명의 진술을 받아낼 수 있었다. 신문을 받는 동안에도 고문이나 다른 부당한 대우는 계속되었다. 이들은 재판이 시작되면서 탄투이 기지에 있는 경찰 구금시설에서 와이헤루(Waiheru) 구금시설로 이송되었다. 재판이 진행되면서 경찰은 이들 중 일부에게변호인이 필요없다는 내용의 진술서에 서명하라고 했다. 다른 사람들은 경찰이 지정해준 변호인의 변호를 받았는데, 이 변호인들은 이들에게 유죄 협상을 하고 항소하지 말라고 조언했다. 22명 중 21명이 인도네시아 형법 106조와 110조에 의거 ‘전복’죄로 7년에서 20년의 징역형을 언도받았다. 2008년 4월 4일 요한 테테리사는 ‘깃발 사건’을 주도한 혐의로 종신형을 선고 받았는데, 이는 3달 뒤 항소심에서 15년형으로 감경되었다.

요한 테테리사는 현재 암본(Ambon) 교도소에 수감되어있다.

from http://www.amnesty.or.kr/d_mem_act/d02_write.htm?method=boardView&petno=326

Look! Their protest was really peaceful. I can't believe he was sentenced to 15 years for his dancing! Oh, jesus...

Monthly BHR Meeting Coming Up

2009-11-26T10:00:00.001+09:00

Date : November 28th (Sat) 4 p.m. (until 5:30 or so)

Meeting Place : Seomyon, toz service center for communiy

Bring : a pen, 3000 won to cover postage, and money for coffee, etc.

English contact:

Will

010-7629-7479

email: faraji85 (at) hanmail.net

Korean contact:

Thomas Moon

010-8008-0928 (text message only)

email: monkton (at) naver.com

Please prepare to discuss community groups you have researched over the past month! See you there!

her life is impressive to me. what do you say?

2009-11-25T20:49:00.008+09:00

For 34 Years, Family Doctor for Poor
Bae Hyon-jeong, president of the Jeonjinsang clinic in Siheung-dong, southwestern Seoul, has treated people suffering from diseases and poverty for over 30 years. / Courtesy of Asan Foundation

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2009/11/178_55822.html

several days ago, i read this article. her life like salt in the world made me think what is true life.

Local Community Organizations

2009-11-20T15:08:00.025+09:00

FOVE
Federation of Volunteer Efforts in Korea
http://www.volunteer.or.kr/
Facebook group website
Tel: 82-52-462-9905-7
Fax: 82-51-462-9950

The Foreigner Volunteer Group is a component of the Federation of Volunteer Efforts in Korea (FOVE). FOVE was founded in 1991 in response to a need for a support system for individual volunteers. They are dedicated to building a caring society through the promotion of volunteering in all sectors of the community.

FWR
The Association for Foreign Workers' Human Rights
http://fwr.jinbo.net/
Email: noja (at) kornet.net
Tel: 82-51-802-3438
Fax: 82-51-803-9630
4F SongKwang B/D 193-9 jeonpo, 2 dong jingu Busan, South Korea

1. Counseling: regarding unpaid wage, industrial accidents, departing and arriving country, and other unfair treatments that foreign workers receive in their daily lives and at work place. (In 2007, total 605 and 671 counseling cases)

2. Medical Project (free check-up): For foreign workers who are left to work for a long period and in dire situation, we provide free medical check-up. (every Sunday 2pm~5pm, medical and dental service)

3. Korean School: Began Korean language education program to help foreign workers to adjust better in Korea

4. Cultural Program: visit historical sites to enhance the understanding of korean culture, hold Asia Cultural Festival (with Busan citizens and foreign workers), hold summer and winter camp, establish ties with Korean families

5. Publish Newspaper: For foreign workers who do not have ways to receive information in their own language, we publish English (Asian Workers' News), Indonesian, Chinese, and Vietnamese newspaper (every month and every other week)

6. Volunteer activists' education and citizen human rights' education: hold orientation for volunteer activists and give lecture about human rights to citizens

7. One Fence: run One Fence as a foreign workers' emergency shelter and a place for culture and education center

8. Solidarity Project: Immigrants' Human Rights Solidarity (nationwide network), Participate in the nationwide, Busan and Kyungnam regions' Foreign Workers Advocacy Organization, International Solidarity work with Japanese, Thail (Global Alliance Against Trafficking Women), Indonesian (Friends of Migrants), and other Asian region's immigrants & human rights organization

PFEM
Pusan Federation for the Environment Movement
http://english.kfem.or.kr/
Email: pusan (at) kfem.or.kr
Tel: 82-51-465-0221
Fax: 82-51-469-7959
Room 601 Dongju B/D, 1200-12 Choryang 3-dong, Dong-gu, Busan-si 601-013

Now KFEM has grown as the biggest and the most influential NGO in Korea, with its 85,000 members and 47 local branches working on various types of environmental issues. Acting as an information clearing house, It collects, studies and disseminates information on global trends to the Korean society and to NGOs throughout the region. From 1998, KFEM has been organizing more international conferences and exchange programs with NGOs from other countries particularly those in the Asia. In addition to, KFEM has been involved in many social issues, such as poverty, human rights, womens rights and peace issues. KFEM raised these issues to Korean and International Society participating in the NGO Forum on Women in Beijing, 1995, World Summit for Social Development &NGO Forum in Copenhagen 1995, UN Conference on Human Settlements in Istanbul, 1996, and World Summit for Social Development in Geneva, 2000.

BIWA
(Busan International Women's Association)
Facebook group website
http://www.biwa-korea.com/

Email: biwadove (at) yahoo.co.uk

The Busan International Women's Association is a charitable social and cultural organization open to women living in the Busan and Kyungsang Namdo area of South Korea. As a non-profit organization we raise money to help those in the local Korean community who are in need. We have a number of regular activities like a monthly coffee morning at the HarborTown Starbucks in Haeundae Beach as well as a regular schedule of special activities. Join in the monthly BIWA luncheon, learn a new language, tour a local site, go on a hike or join the Mums & Tots for a play group outing.

Pusan Tongbaek Rotary Club
(No info found. It seems like they were quite active before, but I can't find recent news about them)

7 meetings since March 27

2009-11-15T13:59:00.003+09:00

Hi, I'm inseong.

The following is what I have about our meeting.
We have had 7 meetings since March 27.
Actually we sent more letters and postcards.
But I have no record before May 30.
That's because we have collected money(3,000 won each) since May 30.
Thomas and I paid what we sent before that.
Also I don't have a record of the things which Thomas sent.
We mainly worked for urgent action cases and Teterissa as an individual case of Amnesty International.
And we have 24,210 won now.

Take a good rest during the rest of your day.

1) 03/27
2) 05/02
3) 05/30 : 6 postcards
4) 07/25 : 3 letters
5) 08/29 : 32 letters
6) 09/26 : 10 letters and 4 postcards
7) 10/31 : 21 letters

Brainstorming for BHR

2009-11-11T09:59:00.006+09:00

Hey guys, I am still alive~!
The climbing was quite hard because of rainning that morning.
So after going down, we had to head to busan being soaked like . I even had to go straght to my friend's wedding party. it was So horrible! Now i feel much better.

i post some topics for discussion. it may be difficult to disscuss or suggest something right away. So i think brainstorming is good way to solve our problems.

[Brainstorming for goals, strategies of BHRG (Busan Human rights group)]

*identity as members
*identity as interests
*identity as local area(Busan)

*actions' goals
*actions' premises
*actions' ways
*specific activities

*basic managerial regulations
*approval of membership (online and off line membership)
*name

*etc~

brainstorming is the way to pile up everybody's opinions to attain some objects and non evaluation is important principle. You can add anything. please post your ideas.
surely, i will post my opinion as soon as possible.

And this blog is nice, isn't it? Thank you, Jason!

October Monthly meeting minutes

2009-11-05T02:51:00.009+09:00

As discussed in the October Monthly meeting, BHR is looking to expand the issues that we involve ourselves. There are many different areas of human rights:

-Children
-Disabilities
-Economic / Poverty
-Education
-Ethnic (social and cultural)
-Gender
-Freedom of expression and media
-Peace and security

If any of these topics (and others) interest you and would like to focus more on, please start a discussion on this blog (click on "comments") or come to one of our meetings! We hope to organize more group actions and awareness through common interests.

2. We will all be looking into local organizations that provides human rights-related services to the community (phone numbers, emails, websites). You can post this information directly to this website. Share the information!

3. Some members have expressed an interest in working with local irregular foreign workers in Korea. More information will be coming soon.

Welcome to BHR!

2009-11-02T18:15:00.000+09:00

Welcome to the Busan Human Rights blog!

On this site we will be keeping our members informed of news feeds, topic discussions, meetings and other schedules. Subscribe to this blog to get news updates emailed to your account.