밀양 765kV 송전탑 반대 주민들에 대한 심각한 인권침해 현황, 유엔 특별보고관에 제출
과도한 공권력 투입으로 인한 광범위한 인권침해 상황 전달
계속되고 있는 밀양 주민들의 인권탄압 문제 주목해줄 것 촉구
1. 10/1(화) 밀양 송전탑 공사가 재개된 후 이에 반대하는 주민들에 대한 공권력의 인권침해가 계속되고 있다. 이에 한국 인권시민사회단체들은 밀양 송전탑건설 과정에서 지속적으로 발생하고 있는 심각한 인권침해 현황을 10/2(수)부터 매일 유엔 인권옹호자 특별보고관, 평화로운 집회결사의 자유 특별보고관, 의사표현의 자유 특별보고관, 안전하고 깨끗하며 건강하고 지속가능한 환경을 누리는 것과 관련한 인권 독립전문가에게 전달하고 있다. 심각한 인권침해가 발생했을 때 해당 유엔 특별보고관들은 사례에 따라 해당 정부에 서한을 보내 적절한 조치를 취하고 인권침해를 최대한 빨리 중단할 것을 요청할 수 있다.
2. 공사가 재개된 이후 밀양에서는 이틀 만에 주민 8명이 병원에 긴급 호송되고 11명이 연행되었으며 5명이 불구속 입건되는 등 심각한 인권침해가 계속되고 있는 상황이다. 주민 대다수가 7,80대의 고령인 밀양 주민들이 공사 재개를 막기 위해 총 7개의 농성장에서 밤샘 농성을 지속하고 있으며 농성장 출입도 막혀 음식물이나 필요한 물품의 전달도 제대로 이뤄지지 않고 있다. 심지어 경찰은 밤샘 농성중인 산 속 현장에서 안전에 대한 고려없이 주민들을 압박했고 이 과정에서 76세 여성이 실신하여 병원에 실려가는 일도 발생했다.
3. 이미 국제사회도 밀양에서 벌어지고 있는 인권침해 상황에 대해 우려를 표한 바 있다. 지난 5월 한국을 공식방문 한 유엔 인권옹호자 특별보고관 마가렛 세카기야(Margaret Sekaggya)는 밀양을 방문한 후 공권력의 심각한 인권 탄압에 대해 우려를 표하며 적절한 인권보호 조치를 취해줄 것을 요청한 바 있다. 또한 대규모 개발사업으로 인해 영향을 받는 지역사회와의 협의 및 효과적 주민참여를 위한 메커니즘을 수립하고 사업 초기부터 지역주민이 참여할 수 있도록 해야 한다고 권고했다. 개발 사업을 진행하기 전에는 주민들에게 자유롭고 정보가 제공된 상태에서 사전 동의를 받아야 함에도 불구하고 이러한 원칙들이 철저히 무시된 채 밀양 송전탑 건설은 강행되고 있는 것이다.
4. 한국 인권시민사회단체들은 앞으로도 밀양에서 벌어지는 인권침해 상황을 지속적으로 유엔 및 국제사회에 알려나갈 것이며 밀양 주민들의 평화로운 싸움에 연대해 줄 것을 촉구해 나갈 것이다.
2013. 10. 04.
국제인권네트워크 (공감/국제민주연대/민가협/민변/민주노총/어필/유엔인권정책센터/외국인이주노동자대책협의회/참여연대/천주교인권위원회), 녹색연합
담당 : 참여연대 국제연대위원회 백가윤 간사 02-723-5051 pspdint@pspd.org /
녹색연합 배보람 정책팀장 070-7438-8529 rouede28@greenkorea.org
▣ 별첨자료 1. 2013년 10월 2일 유엔 특별보고관에게 발송한 밀양 인권침해 서한
2 October 2013
Individual Complaint to
– the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders;
– the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association;
– the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
– the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment
Re: Republic of Korea – Suppression on the Villagers who are against Miryang 765kV Power Transmission Tower
We are writing to you today to express our grave concerns over the ongoing human rights violations against environmental defenders and villagers affected by the highly controversial construction of 765kV Power Transmission Tower in Miryang, the Republic of Korea.
Miryang is located at the southeast part of the Republic of Korea and close to Busan which is the second largest city in the country. Nuclear plant is being constructed in Busan and to transmit electricity to Seoul, 69 transmission towers are decided to be constructed in 5 villages of Miryang. Villagers have protested against the construction for eight years to protect their land and environment.
The Electric Source Development Promotion Act Article 6(2) says that an electric source developer may expropriate or use land necessary for the electric source development business. Accordingly, Korea Electronic Power Corporation (KEPCO) has enforced construction rather than having a proper consultation with villagers. In the process, physical, mental and economic damages as well as human rights violations are prevalent.
Situation gets work after one villager burnt himself to death to protest against the construction of transmission power in January 2012. Private security forces hired by project operator contacted to KEPCO verbally, sexually, and physically harass women human rights defenders including Buddhist monks and villagers but the government has not effectively addressed the situation. KEPCO also brought a legal action requesting damages of 1 billion won and obstruction of business against villagers. Most villagers are over 80 years old. They built small huts on the way to the construction site and stay there for 24 hours to prevent constructions and protect their land and environment.
On 30 September 2013, the Korea Electric Power Corporation(KEPCO) reopened the transmission tower construction in Miryang after 126 days of suspension without proper consultation with villagers. As a result, human rights violations against environmental defenders and villagers have continuously reported since 30 September 2013.
1. Name of Alleged Victims
Environmental defenders including villagers who are against Miryang 765kV Power Transmission Tower
2. Status of the victim as a human rights defender
Miryang villagers and environmental rights defenders have continued peaceful protest against the construction of Miryang 765kV Power Transmission Tower for more than eight years.
3. Alleged violations committed against the victims (since 30 September 2013)
● On the night of 30 September 2013, the KEPCO deployed construction equipment at Badeu-ri, Danjang-myon, Miryang-si, to reopen construction after 126 days of suspension. During the suspension period, there were no proper consultations or dialogues with villagers.
● Most villagers who are against the construction of transmission tower are in their 70~80s, and temperature of protest site is low since they locate in the middle of mountains. Last May 2013, approximately 30 senior villagers aged 70-80 were taken to a hospital as a result of a confrontation between the police. Based on this, violent crackdown and excessive use of force is also expected this time.
● To stop the construction of 765kV Power Transmission Tower, villagers from various small towns in Miryang built protest tents on 30 September 2013 and started sit-in protest.
● Around 2,000 police officers (20 squadrons) are dispatched for vicarious administrative execution to stop around 150 villagers who are in their 70~80s.
● Since 30 September 2013, many physical conflicts were reported between villagers and the police. The police blocked the road to prevent villagers from coming in and out of the protest site.
● As of 2 October 2013 7am, 30 villagers from Boobook-myon continue all-night sit-in demonstration and 50 vilalgers from Sangdong-myon, 10 villagers from Dongwha-ri Danjang-myon, 50 villagers from Bade-ri Danjang-myon continue sit-in demonstration. Some villagers bind their bodies with metal chain to stop construction.
● On 2 October 2013 at around 7:30am, Ms. Soon-ok KANG(age 63) fell to the ground during the protest and she was sent to a hospital. Around at the same time, Ms. Phil-gwi KIM(agee 77), Mr. Soo-chul LEE(age 73), Ms. Gab-soon PARK(age 80) also fainted during the conflict with the police and were sent to the hospital.
● At the construction site of Yeosu village, Sangdong-myon, the police did not allow to bring food to around 50 villagers who were protesting on 1 October 2013, and a violent clash was continued for around 2 hours.
● 2 October 2013 at 11am, Mr. Jong-hoe KIM, the chairperson of the Miryang Danjang-myeon Donghwajun Village Committee Against Power Transmission Tower, wife of Mr. KIM, and Catholic Priest Sung-jae CHO, co-representatives of Miryang Committee Against 756kV Power Transmission Tower, started hunger strike in front of the KEPCO, calling for stopping the construction of Miryang 765kV Power Transmission Tower.
4. Alleged Perpetrators
● The Korea Electric Power Corporation(KEPCO)
● The Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy
5. Chronology of Conflicts related to the construction of Miryang 765kV Power Transmission Tower
● Nov. 2007: The Government approved construction of 765kV Power Transmission Tower line.
● Jul. 2008: First demonstration calling for rescinding the construction plan (Since the first demonstration, villagers had candlelight vigils for 119 times)
● Aug. 2008: The KEPCO started a construction.
● Dec. 2009: Conflict Mediation Committee was established.
● Nov. 2010: Promotion Committee to Improve Compensation System for Transmission Tower was established.
● 16 Jan. 2012: Mr. Chi-woo LEE, a villager, burnt himself to death in protest to the police’s violence and oppression of government and the KEPCO.
● 7 Mar. 2012: Cessation of the Miryang 765kV Power Transmission Tower construction. (Since then, it repeated to restart and cease for 11 times.
● 5 Jun. 2013: A consultative group of experts was formed for 40 days. The consultative group included members recommended by each party; 3 from KEPCO, 3 from Miryang Committee Against 756kV Power Transmission Tower, 3 from the National Assembly. The National Assembly did not adopt the final report from the consultative group of experts.
● 20 Jul. 2013: Mr. Sang-jick YOON, the Minister of Trade, Industry & Energy, visited Miryang
● 11 Sep. 2013: Mr. Hongwon CHUNG, the Prime Minister, visited Miryang and announced his plan for compensation.
● 1 Oct. 2013: The KEPCO announced restart of the construction.
6. Who is submitting this information?
This letter is submitted by:
1) Ms. Gayoon Baek, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)
Tel. +82 2 723 5051, +82 10 9436 0316 Fax: +82 2 6919 2004
Email: pspdint@pspd.org
2) Ms. Boram Bae, Green Korea United
Tel. +82 2 747 8500, +82 11 9784 4938, Fax: +82 2 766 4180
Email: rouede28@greenkorea.org
▣ 별첨자료 2. 2013년 10월 3일 유엔 특별보고관에게 발송한 밀양 인권침해 서한
3 October 2013
Individual Complaint to
– the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders;
– the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association;
– the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
– the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment
Re: Republic of Korea – Suppression on the Villagers who are against Miryang 765kV Power Transmission Tower
We are writing to you today to express our grave concerns over the ongoing human rights violations against environmental defenders and villagers affected by the highly controversial construction of 765kV Power Transmission Tower in Miryang, the Republic of Korea.
Miryang is located at the southeast part of the Republic of Korea and close to Busan which is the second largest city in the country. Nuclear plant is being constructed in Busan and to transmit electricity to Seoul, 69 transmission towers are decided to be constructed in 5 villages of Miryang. Villagers have protested against the construction for eight years to protect their land and environment.
On 30 September 2013, the Korea Electric Power Corporation(KEPCO) reopened the transmission tower construction in Miryang after 126 days of suspension without proper consultation with villagers. As a result, human rights violations against environmental defenders and villagers have continuously reported since 30 September 2013.
Six environmental defenders were arrested between 2 October 2013 and 3 October 2013, while protesting against the construction of Miryang 765kV Power Transmission Tower, under the charge of obstructing official business.
1. Name of Alleged Victims
Environmental defenders including villagers who are against Miryang 765kV Power Transmission Tower are facing human rights violations. Below six environmental defenders were arrested during their peaceful protest on 3 October 2013.
1) Hong-chul PYON, Member, Green Party, Daegu Office
2) Sang-ok LEE, Member, Green Party, Daegu Office
3) Sang-hong LEE, Secretary General, Gyeongju Korean Federation For Environmental Movement
4) Soo-hee Jung, Secretary General, Busan Energy Justice Action
5) Min-jung KIM, member, Youth Left
6) Dong-ju CHAE, student, Pulmoo high school
2. Alleged violations committed against the victims (since 2 October 2013)
1) Arrested Environmental Defenders
From around 8am on 3 October 2013, around 30 environmental defenders including villagers were protesting against reopening of the construction. As helicopters continue to carry construction materials to the construction site, environmental defenders lay on the street as a form of protest.
Since the helicopters continue to transport construction materials, environmental defenders tried to enter the open-air storage yard and were arrested by the police. While arresting these environmental defenders, the police did not allow journalists to cover the situation and pushed journalists away.
2) Human Rights Violation during enforced vicarious administrative execution
● As of now(3 October 2013 1pm Seoul time), around 2,300 police officers(25 squadrons) and 300 staffs of the KEPCO are dispatched to stop only around 200 environmental defenders who are against the vicarious administrative execution on the Miryang 765kV transmission tower.
● Environmental defenders and villagers who are staying at the protest site are frequently and easily isolated because the police did not allow bringing food, electricity, mobile or media facilities. Even though it is expected that there must be grave violation of human rights at the protest site, it is hard to document or monitor the situation.
● The police do not allow media activists and journalists from coming in and out of the protest site and therefore, it is difficult to cover the stories and document human rights violations in Miryang.
● Since the police took protest tents and necessary equipment for protest, environmental defenders and villagers(who are mostly in their 70~80s) are suffering from severe cold. As the transmission tower is constructed in the middle of mountain, the temperature of protest site is around 10°c. It is also difficult to make a fire for a heating because of the police and surroundings.
● On 2 October 2013 at around 1pm Seoul time, the police forced to demolish protest tents where villagers are staying. Environmental defenders including villagers cried out that there were people staying inside and urged the police to stop enforced vicarious administrative execution, the police continued to demolish the protest tent. As a result, Ms. Jung-sun MOON, a member of Miryang City Council tied her neck with wire to the protest tent to stop vicarious administrative execution.
3) Human Rights Violation at the Protest Site
● Near the Miryang transmission tower construction site, there are seven protest sites. Around 10~30 environmental defenders and villagers are staying at each protest site. In total, around 150 people are protesting.
● All seven protesting sites are far from each other and most of them locate in the middle of mountain on a slope. Therefore, it is very difficult to identify safety and health condition of environmental defenders. Also, it is difficult to use phone and internet, it is difficult to publicize about what is happening in the protest sites.
● Villagers dig the ground and stay underneath, and/or they set up a protest tent and tie their body to the protest tents. They stay up all night and continue sit-in protest, which endanger their health condition bearing in mind that most of them are over 70~80s. Most of them are also women villagers.
● As it is quite chill during autumn in the Republic of Korea, temperature is very low especially at night and dawn. There are not enough heating facilities at the protest sites, and environmental defenders and villagers are suffering from cold.
● Currently, members of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea and human rights activists from civil society organizations are conducting fact finding mission at the construction sites, monitoring excessive use of force by the police and human rights violation of environmental defenders.
4) Hunger Strike
● At the construction site, three villagers started hunger strike to protest against enforced vicarious administrative execution by the police. (Ms. Young-ja KIM(age 57), Ms. Eun-hee SUNG(age 52), Ms. Nan-sook SHIN(age 50)). 3 October 2013 is their 3rd day of hunger strike. At around 12:40pm on 3 October 2013, Ms. Young-ja KIM had difficulties in breathing and was sent to the hospital. When she was sent to the hospital, a doctor at the protest site was accompanying and police asked a doctor to show hisID.
● In front of the Sangdong-station, Mr. Jung-kyu PARK(age 52) started a hunger strike. He is a chief of Geumoh Village. 3 October 2013 is his second day of hunger strike.
● After the press conference in front of the KEPCO on 2 October 2013 at 11am, Mr. Jong-hoe KIM, the chairperson of the Miryang Danjang-myeon Donghwajun Village Committee Against Power Transmission Tower, wife of Mr. KIM, and Catholic Priest Sung-jae CHO, co-representatives of Miryang Committee Against 756kV Power Transmission Tower, started hunger strike in front of the KEPCO, calling for stopping the construction of Miryang 765kV Power Transmission Tower.
4. Alleged Perpetrators
● The Korea Electric Power Corporation(KEPCO)
● The Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy
5. Who is submitting this information?
This letter is submitted by:
1) Ms. Gayoon Baek, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)
Tel. +82 2 723 5051, +82 10 9436 0316 Fax: +82 2 6919 2004
Email: pspdint@pspd.org
2) Ms. Boram Bae, Green Korea United
Tel. +82 2 747 8500, +82 11 9784 4938, Fax: +82 2 766 4180
Email: rouede28@greenkorea.org
