Greenpeace suing South Korea on its silencing of nuclear power critics

Greenpeace files court case to challenge South Korea’s silencing of nuclear criticshttp://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/press/Greenpeace-files-court-case-to-challenge-South-Koreas-silencing-of-nuclear-critics/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=blog&utm_term=121012_1112&utm_campaign=Climate Greenpeace International and Greenpeace East Asia have launched a legal challenge against the South Korean government seeking a declaration that the government’s prohibiting of key international staff from entering the country was unlawful and anattempt to silence criticism of nuclear policies.
Through the lawsuit, lodged on Monday on international Human Rights Day, Greenpeace is seeking compensation of almost 70 million Korean won for disruption of six staff members’ ability to conduct their campaign about the risks of nuclear energy and for other damages.

Greenpeace is also seeking recognition that the denial of entry of its
staff was an attack on freedom of expression and a violation of
international human rights.

“Following the Fukushima disaster, the South Korean government is
trying to silence us for highlighting the tremendous risks nuclear
power poses. It refuses to hear criticism of its nuclear programme and
actively attacks those attempting to inform the public,” said Pino
Lee, nuclear campaigner with Greenpeace East Asia, based in Seoul.

“This illustrates the dangerous influence the nuclear industry has on
Korea’s political system, and represents a violation of the right to
freedom of expression under Article 19 of the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights, which the Korean government has acceded
to.”

Since establishing an office in South Korea in June 2011, the
government has denied entry to four Greenpeace East Asia staff without
justification. In addition, two Greenpeace International staff members
have been prohibited from entering South Korea.

Coupled with the South Korean government’s crackdown on domestic
anti-nuclear groups and a 10 billion won (US$9 million) investment in
a pro-nuclear advertising campaign, Greenpeace says the prohibition of
entry is clearly aimed at shutting down criticism of the country’s
dangerous nuclear expansion programme.
As South Korea was recently elected as a member of the United Nations
Human Rights Council, Greenpeace is demanding that it listen to
concerns by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, uphold
its commitment to respect the promotion and protection of human rights
and cease its attempts to silence NGOs speaking out on issues of
national importance.

“By unjustly prohibiting Greenpeace staff from entering Korea without
reason, the government has created a chilling effect among those who
wish to voice their concerns about nuclear power,” said Lee.

“The quality of South Korea’s democracy is under threat, as is the
health of our people, our environment and our economy. Renewable
energy is the only truly clean and safe way forward and Greenpeace
will not allow those who support clean energy rather than nuclear
power to be silenced.”

Greenpeace organisations do not accept donations from governments or
corporations but rely on contributions from individual supporters and
foundation grants. www.greenpeace.org/korea

Contacts:
Youn Hwang, Greenpeace Seoul Office Communications Officer
pkr@greenpeace.org +82 10 4089 6980, +82 2 3144 1996
Greg McNevin, Greenpeace International Communications
greg.mcnevin@greenpeace.org, +82 2 3144 1995
Greenpeace International Press Desk Hotline, Amsterdam +31 20 7182470

Notes:
1) Text of Greenpeace’s complaint to the Korean Government: http://bit.ly/TUdHM7