Victor Madrigal-Boloz conveys the meaning of’comfort and solidarity’
Military Rights Center “I will fight for the reinstatement of Sergeant Byun and the restoration of honor”
The late Sergeant Byeon Hee-soo was at the Military Rights Center in Nogosan-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul last year. <한겨레>He is smiling brightly as he interviews him. Senior Reporter Kang Jae-hoon [email protected]
The UN’s’Independence Expert on Protection from Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’ (independence expert) delivered a letter of condolence to the bereaved family and friends of former Sergeant Byun Hee-soo and expressed their support Revealed the meaning. Independence expert Victor Madrigal-Boloze said, “Byun Hee-soo was a brave woman, and his determination to fight for equality and non-discrimination was not at all swayed. On the 23rd, he announced that he had delivered a letter with the content that his bravery will always inspire us and empower people in Korea and beyond.” In a letter Madrigal-Boloz said, “I and my team members were surprised to hear the news, and they were deeply sad. Hee-Soo Byun’s death and I would like to express my support, saying, “I want to let you know that our hearts are with you in difficult times.” The’Independence Expert on Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’ was established by the resolution of the UN Human Rights Council in 2016, and is elected by the Human Rights Council for a term of three years. At that time, the resolution was passed with the approval of 23 countries, including South Korea, among 47 members of the UN Human Rights Council. Independent experts, elected by the UN Human Rights Council, can receive cases of sexual minority discrimination and violence occurring around the world, investigate through official letters, and deliver recommendations. It has the authority to conduct policy research on the protection and promotion of human rights, and it is also possible to conduct a human rights survey through official visits to the country. Earlier, in July of last year, Madrigal-Boloz sent a letter to the South Korean government pointing out the injustice of the forced campaign by former Sergeant Byun Hee-soo. In a letter, he wrote, “The forced dismissal of Sergeant Byun is a measure that violates international human rights law that prohibits discrimination based on the right to work and gender identity.” ‘ It also demanded measures to stop and prevent recurrence of violations of international human rights law, and urged actions against those who are responsible. The Military Rights Center said, “I would like to express my gratitude to Madrigal-Boloz for clarifying the will of comfort and solidarity with the bereaved, and I will fight until the end for Sergeant Byun’s reinstatement and honor recovery.” By Jae-ho Lee, staff reporter [email protected]