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Last year, the Hwaseong Foreigner Shelter, which caused a controversy over human rights violations by tying the limbs of Moroccan foreigner behind his/her back, is changing into a human rights-friendly facility.
Hwaseong Foreigner Shelter was a foreigner protection facility that detained foreigners who were about to leave the country forcibly, but it is being transformed into an “alternative foreigner protection facility” that guarantees the inmates’ right to move and autonomy.
The Ministry of Justice has been implementing human rights-friendly facilities improvement, etc. in the women's protection wing of the Hwaseong Foreigner Shelter since April 18.
The iron bars dividing the detention area were removed and the playground was opened during the day to allow the inmates to move freely within the facility.
In fact, on May 23rd, members of the Special Committee on Refugee Immigrants of the Korean Bar Association visited the Hwaseong Shelter for women foreigners and confirmed this fact.
Lee Eun-hye, a lawyer at the immigrant support group 'Asia's Window', who accompanied the visit, said, “When I visited the female foreigner protection wing, half of the existing iron bars were removed so that foreigners could freely go to and from other rooms and the playground during work hours. There are also 7 computers with internet access. In the hallway, two clothes dryers and a vending machine where you can buy sweets and mixed coffee were installed. Most of all, it was surprising that there was a cell phone zone where foreigners could freely use their cell phones.”
Lawyer Lee said, “Currently, only the female foreigner protection building has been changed to an open type due to problems such as space, budget, and manpower, but I hope that the male foreigner protection building and other shelters will be improved as soon as possible.”
However, it is expected that it will be several years before such facilities are applied to other shelters.
An official from the Ministry of Justice said, “Even if we want to significantly expand alternative protection facilities, it takes time and budget to reorganize existing facilities and organizations. However, even if it takes time, it should be implemented in a way that guarantees the freedom and human rights of foreigners in the shelter.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice is also implementing measures to strengthen human rights protection in the departure waiting room (repatriation waiting room) of airports used by foreigners who have been denied entry to Korea. According to the announced plan, immigration officials should make available bedding and sanitary products necessary for foreigners entering to the room. In addition, in consideration of their diet and culture, meals and drinks should be provided three times a day.
Reporter Hasung Song
<The open-type Hwaseong Foreigner Shelter without iron bars. Ministry of Justice>
<A foreigner who was tied up in a shrimp posture at the Hwaseong Foreigner Shelter last year>
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