Cáritas and the social commission of the Episcopal Conference denounce in a document released today that families have been left abandoned. There are also cases of disabled people who died after the center where they lived was closed. Accusation of President Yoon: despite his electoral promises, he has only changed the name of this “social experiment.”
Seoul () – The closure of institutions does not promote the well-being of people with disabilities at all. On the contrary, the results have been a failure, to the point that some people have died in a state of abandonment. The Korean Catholic Church made this complaint in a document titled “God is love” that was released today by Caritas and the Commission for Social Affairs of the Episcopal Conference, in which President Yoon Suk Yeol is asked to fulfill his commitment to suspend this “experiment.” social” which began in November 2021.
The “deinstitutionalization” policy was born from the rejection of the idea of large residential structures for the disabled that were built in the country in the ’70s and ’80s and that still house more than 20 thousand people. Although the principle can be shared, among the families of people with disabilities there is a great fear that this path – instead of really being a form of respect for the dignity of the most fragile people – turns out to be an ideological recipe that, Without alternative options, they will end up abandoning rather than assisting the most fragile in the best way.
And this is precisely, according to the Korean Catholic Church, what is happening in the pilot projects that were launched in the last three years. The document cites in particular a study carried out by the Seoul metropolitan government according to which only 700 people out of approximately 1,200 were able to confirm their residence. Of the 487 people actually interviewed, only 281 were at home. And even 24 disabled people had died.
“Listening to the silent cries of suffering and even in the face of the loss of human life due to this policy – the document states – the Korean Catholic Church in these three years has offered the nation a strong will to collaborate and a series of proposals developed together with people with disabilities, their parents and national and foreign references in matters of social assistance.” President Yoon – it is recalled – promised during the election campaign to eliminate this policy. “However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare refused to do so. an evaluation of the pilot project and to conduct a nationwide investigation. Despite the unsuccessful results, he extended the project to the national level, changing only the name.
The document expresses particular concern for people with severe disabilities who have been forcibly removed from institutions. “We should ask ourselves: who exactly are they, and where and how do they live today? “In contrast, in South Korea they have become anonymous disabled people, abandoned by society and the community.”
Contrary to what it claims to state – the text continues – this policy does not promote the rights of people with disabilities at all. “Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – recalls the document of the Korean Church – establishes that: ‘everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.’ Article 10 of the United Nations Convention on Persons with Disabilities establishes that “States shall take all necessary measures to ensure the effective enjoyment of this right by persons with disabilities on equal terms with others.”
“In accordance with Jesus Christ and his culture of love, the Catholic Church in Korea will always walk with the marginalized, reaffirming the preferential option for the poor.” For this reason – the document continues – the Korean bishops “join their hands in prayer and make an appeal to the country and its people.”
Specifically, five requests are made: first, “immediately suspend the policy of closing institutions and arrange for a comprehensive nationwide investigation, carried out by a credible state agency together with the private sector, the results of which will be made public.” Secondly, implement “protection and compensation measures” for disabled people who have suffered harm. Third: ensure that people and organizations “involved in these failed policies are permanently excluded from the development of human rights projects and assistance to people with disabilities.”
Fourth: promote with credible commitments the participation of all citizens in protection systems for people with disabilities. Finally, the Catholic Church calls for work to improve “the professionalism and stability of specialized institutions, doctors and operators who care for disabled people daily.”
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