Korean Progressive Network 'Jinbonet'

The followings are 1. a submitted written statement regarding the violation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression under the Lee Myung-bak administration to the Human Rights Council…

Global Information Society Watch 2009 : Access to online information and knowledge – Country Report of South Korea

A written statement submitted by the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), a non-governmental organisation with general consultative status

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2009 ALRC-CWS-11-07-2009 Language(s): English only HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Eleventh session A written statement submitted by the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), a non-governmental organisation with general consultative status SOUTH KOREA: Concerns about the freedom of expression and the possible resumption of executions

The written statement updates the current conditions of internet censorship by the administrative body, the Korea Communications Standards Commission, and reports the legislations that violate the freedom of opinion and expression such as internet real name system and cyber insult law as well as criminal penalties and temporary blocking against online posts. Moreover, the Jinbonet urged the United Nations attention to the violation of freedom of opinion and expression in cyber space and asked for a visit of Special Rapporteur.

[논평] 로슈의 푸제온 무상공급프로그램에 대한 환자,시민,사회단체의 입장 푸제온은 한국 정부가 제시한 약가에 대한 불만으로 로슈가 4년 넘게 공급을 거부한 에이즈 치료제이다. 그동안 전 세계 에이즈 감염인과 활동가들은 환자의 생명을 위협하는 로슈에 강력한 항의를 계속해왔다. 그러나 이에 대한 로슈의 유일한 답변은 ‘우리가 요구하는 가격을 주지 않는 국가에는 푸제온을 공급할 수 없다’는 것이었다. 결국 우리는 2008년 12월 23일 푸제온 강제실시를 청구하기에 이르렀다. 그런데 별안간 로슈는 2009년 2월 25일 푸제온에 대해 무상공급프로그램을 시행하여 한국 환자들에게 공급하겠다는 통보를 해왔다. 4년 넘게 약을 먹지 못해 고통 받고 죽어가야 했던 환자들이 이제 푸제온을 사용할 수 있게 된 것은 그 어떤 것보다도 중요하고 환영할만한 일이다.

Fuzeon is an essential medicine for HIV/AIDS treatment, but since 2005 Roche has been withholding the distribution of the drug in Korea. We, PLWHA and AIDS activists around the world have been protested against Roche’s murderous policy. However, Roche’s only response was that they would not supply Fuzeon until the South Korean government accepts the unreasonably high price of Fuzeon. To solve this problem, Korea HIV/AIDS Network of Solidarity and Intellectual Property Left requested a compulsory license of Fuzeon in December 2008.

“ChoJungDong Advertisement Interruption” – Detention two netizens

1. 귀 언론사의 발전을 기원합니다.

1. 귀 언론사의 발전을 기원합니다. 2. 로슈창립일인 10월 1일부터 파리에서부터 10월 7일까지 서울까지 에이즈치료제 푸제온 공급을 거부하는 로슈를 규탄하는 국제공동행동을 시작하였습니다. 10월 1일 서울에서는 한국로슈앞에서 1인시위를 시작하였습니다(사진 첨부). 파리에서는 ACT UP의 활동가들이 프랑스, 영국, 한국, 미국, 스위스에 있는 로슈에 항의 전화, 팩스, 메일보내기 캠페인을 벌였습니다.

PSPD sent an Urgent Appeal to the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Northeast Asia and to Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of…

In 2004, La Roche, a multi-national pharmaceutical corporation, acquired the license to launch Fuzeon, an anti-retroviral product. However, South Korean people with HIV/AIDS have never seen this drug in the last 4 years. This was due to a strong ‘will’ of La Roche requesting the South Korean Government accept the price of 22 million KRW (roughly 22,000 USD) per year. The company has been withholding the distribution of the drug for the last 4 years. The exclusive right of patent protection, owned by La Roche, guarantees that the company’s murderous will is observed in South Korea.

생명권을 넘어선 특허권은 존재할 수 없다! – 에이즈치료제 푸제온 강제실시 청구 초국적 제약회사 로슈는 지난 2004년 에이즈 치료제 푸제온의 시판허가를 받았다. 그러나 4년이 지난 바로 오늘까지 푸제온은 한국 에이즈 환자들에게는 구경조차 할 수 없는 약이다. 연간 2,200만원을 주지 않으면 절대로 약을 공급하지 않겠다는 로슈의 강력한 ‘의지’ 때문이다. 푸제온 특허에 대한 로슈의 독점적 권한은 로슈의 이러한 ‘살인적 의지’가 한국에서 관철될 수 있도록 보장해 주고 있다.

In October 6th, Roche sent a 2nd statement sent to Act Up Paris to explain their policy in Korea. Even though Roche’s goal “is to be transparent”in their communications, Korean activists and people living with HIV/AIDS in Korea can not obtain any clear information from the statement. During the international week of action against Roche, Roche not only refuge to engage in dialogue with activists in Korea and but also make no effort to lower a price of Fuzeon.

This article is the countribution of jinbonet to the country report of South Korea in Privacy and Human Rights 2007 published by EPIC.

“ChoJungDong Advertisement Interruption” – Detention two netizens

Global Information Society Watch 2008 : focus on access to infrastructure – Country Report of South Koreawritten by Kim Jisung

Additional Information On Joint NGO Urgent Appeal Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council 25 JULY 2008 Submitted by

▶ Confirm that there have been violations of the freedom of speech and other basic rights and urge for punishment of people in charge.
▶ Be aware of the seriousness of the situation and express a stance directly and openly
▶ Start a direct involvement such as the Country Visit investigation.