A/HRC/22/10 49. Ireland noted the absence of a universal birth registration system in the Republic of Korea, which may give rise to children being secretly adopted between their birth and registration. It noted the results of a 2010 survey, which estimated that there might be as many as 17,000 undocumented migrant children who were unable to gain access to medical care and other services. Ireland made recommendations. 50. Italy acknowledged efforts to protect human rights. It commended the de facto death penalty moratorium. It raised concerns over reports of an inadequate universal birth registration system, and of serious domestic violence problems. It noted measures to raise awareness of the criminal nature of domestic violence and to prohibit corporal punishment in schools, and requested further information. It made recommendations. 51. Japan welcomed the amendment of the Child Welfare Act, the introduction of legal provisions to prohibit corporal punishment in schools and amendments to the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse. Japan pointed out gaps in guaranteeing children’s rights, including issues relating to trafficking in children and violence against and sexual exploitation of children. Japan made recommendations. 52. Responding to questions raised, the delegation stated that the need to establish regulations in the Criminal Act regarding the definition of torture as stipulated by the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, other than those already provided for in established laws, would be carefully considered. The Government was currently reviewing national laws and systems for possible discrepancies between OP-CAT and national laws. With the NHRC already carrying out inspections of detention and protection facilities, the prevention effect that was intended in OP-CAT had already been achieved to a significant extent. 53. The second National Plan of Action for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights included the task of preparing for the enactment of a general anti-discrimination act. The Government would fully consider including in it grounds for discrimination, such as sexual orientation, and indirect discrimination. 54. Given the military confrontation in the Korean Peninsula, the importance of national security had been emphasized. The revision or abolition of the National Security Act would require public consensus. The Government was strictly interpreting and applying the law to prevent the National Security Act from being abused or arbitrarily interpreted. Article 7 of the Act did not apply to those who simply praised or supported the claims of an antigovernment organization. Therefore, the law could not be seen as violating the fundamentals of academic freedom or freedom of expression. The average number of persons detained for violating the National Security Act each year in the last five years remained steady at about 20. 55. Regarding birth registration and adoption, the law had been changed in 2008 so that an adopted child would enjoy the same rights and status as a biological child, and the problems in the past of registering a birth rather than an adoption had been corrected to a great extent. Legal controls had also been strengthened. Adoptions could take place only with a court permit. 56. The Government established the Comprehensive Countermeasures for the Protection of Women and Children in 2008 in order to counteract sexual violence crimes, as well as the Countermeasures for Prevention of Recurrence of Violence against Children and Support for Victims in 2009, and the Comprehensive Countermeasures for Prevention of Domestic Violence in 2011. Punishment of sexual crimes against the disabled and children and juveniles was also strengthened and the statutory limitation would be suspended until a minor victim reached the legal age of majority. The Government also continued to provide education and conduct public campaigns with a view to raising awareness of the serious nature of damages caused by sexual and domestic violence. 8

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents