Suwon Special City believes that, as the level of government closest to people's daily lives, local governments play a central role in protecting and promoting the human rights of their citizens. Human rights are not merely an abstract value but a fundamental principle that should be considered throughout every stage of public administration, from policy development and implementation to evaluation.
Since establishing the first municipal Human Rights Center in Gyeonggi Province in 2015, Suwon has built a community-based human rights protection system through the Human Rights Ombudsperson Program, the Human Rights Commission, and human rights education initiatives. In addition, Suwon became the first local municipality in Korea to institutionalize Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIAs), reviewing local ordinances, policies, and public projects in advance and promoting the integration of human rights into public administration through institutional improvements.
Moving forward, Suwon will continue to strengthen participatory governance with its citizens, build a Human Rights City where everyone enjoys dignity and rights without discrimination, and advance local human rights policies through international cooperation while contributing to the development of sustainable Human Rights City models.
Suwon Special City is joining this campaign to share its accumulated experience in local human rights governance with the international community and to strengthen cooperation with Human Rights Cities around the world.
Over the years, Suwon has continuously advanced its human rights framework through the operation of its Human Rights Center, the Human Rights Ombudsperson Program, Human Rights Impact Assessments, human rights education, and the Human Rights Commission. By participating in this campaign, Suwon hopes not only to share these experiences with other local governments but also to learn from international best practices and collaborate in addressing emerging human rights challenges.
Furthermore, Suwon seeks to expand cooperation among local governments and actively contribute to an international network dedicated to promoting sustainable Human Rights Cities, strengthening democratic local governance, and ensuring that human rights remain at the center of public policy.
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Suwon Ordinance on the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights
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Establishes the legal framework for protecting and promoting human rights.
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Provides the basis for the Human Rights Center, Human Rights Ombudsperson Program, Human Rights Commission, and human rights education.
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Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA)
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Institutionalized as the first system of its kind among local municipalities in Korea.
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Assesses local ordinances, policies, major public projects, and polling stations to prevent human rights violations and improve public policies before implementation.
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Local Human Rights Governance
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Operates the Human Rights Ombudsperson Program for counseling and investigations.
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Promotes human rights awareness through education and strengthens participatory governance through the Human Rights Commission and partnerships with civil society.