The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recommended to the Minister of the Ministry of Justice that detained foreign nationals who need surgery be allowed to receive treatment at outside hospitals.
On the 19th, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), two foreign nationals detained at a foreigner detention center each filed a petition in January. A was diagnosed as needing surgery after injuring toes and fingers. B was diagnosed as needing surgery and long-term physical therapy for a knee injury. Both A and B overstayed their permitted period of stay but are refusing to depart.
The foreigner detention center said to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), "External treatment for detained foreign nationals is permitted only after strictly assessing the severity of the injury and the risk of flight."
It also said the in-house medical department has continued conservative treatment, such as prescribing medication whenever A and B reported pain, and will review necessary medical measures as circumstances change.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Second Committee on Remedies for Human Rights Violations determined that the foreigner detention center committed a human rights violation. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said, "Foreigner protection facilities have the characteristic of restricting physical liberty by deciding on detention solely based on an administrative agency's own judgment without an independent judiciary's decision such as a warrant," adding, "They must ensure appropriate treatment in line with the purpose of the protection system."
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) explained that, considering the specialist's diagnosis and the ongoing pain, it recommended to the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who oversees the foreigner detention centers, to take steps to ensure that, when surgery is necessary, treatment can be received at outside hospitals.