Detention center denies report on infringement of human rights
By You Soo-sun
Authorities refuted accusations that former President Park Geun-hye has been detained under inhumane conditions Wednesday.
The denial came after CNN reported having received a document alleging that the ousted president's human rights were violated in prison.
In the document, Park's international legal team argued detention authorities were committing "serious human rights violations" against Park, who has been suffering from chronic conditions and maladies including chronic back pain.
It also claimed she was living in a filthy, cold and constantly lit cell that deprived her of sleep.
Her lawyers said they plan to submit the document to the United Nation Human Rights Council on Wednesday, less than a month before the council's routine review on the human rights situation in Korea.
However, a detention center spokesperson denied all the allegations, and said Park has been using a folding mattress, contrary to Park's claims she has been sleeping on the floor.
The official also said the cells have been heated since last week, and the lights are left on at night for security purposes but are not bright enough to prevent sleep.
Asked for clarification by CNN, Rodney Dixon, a lawyer on the international legal team said Park is not sleeping on a proper bed, which has caused her conditions to worsen.
But others have begun arguing Park has been receiving privileges at the detention center including a solitary 12.1-square-meter cell, renovated from one in which about six to seven detainees were previously held. Park also stayed at the warden's office for two days after her arrest.
Similar privileges were given to former Korean Presidents Roh Tae-woo and Chun Doo-hwan, both convicted of treason. Roh was held in a 22-square-meter solitary cell which contained a living room, visitation room, and a bathroom when he was arrested in 1995; Chun was given a 21-square-meter cell with the same facilities the same year.
The court approved detention for another six month last Friday, a decision Park decried, calling it political revenge. Afterwards, all of her lawyers here resigned in protest.
By You Soo-sun
Authorities refuted accusations that former President Park Geun-hye has been detained under inhumane conditions Wednesday.
The denial came after CNN reported having received a document alleging that the ousted president's human rights were violated in prison.
In the document, Park's international legal team argued detention authorities were committing "serious human rights violations" against Park, who has been suffering from chronic conditions and maladies including chronic back pain.
It also claimed she was living in a filthy, cold and constantly lit cell that deprived her of sleep.
Her lawyers said they plan to submit the document to the United Nation Human Rights Council on Wednesday, less than a month before the council's routine review on the human rights situation in Korea.
However, a detention center spokesperson denied all the allegations, and said Park has been using a folding mattress, contrary to Park's claims she has been sleeping on the floor.
The official also said the cells have been heated since last week, and the lights are left on at night for security purposes but are not bright enough to prevent sleep.
Asked for clarification by CNN, Rodney Dixon, a lawyer on the international legal team said Park is not sleeping on a proper bed, which has caused her conditions to worsen.
But others have begun arguing Park has been receiving privileges at the detention center including a solitary 12.1-square-meter cell, renovated from one in which about six to seven detainees were previously held. Park also stayed at the warden's office for two days after her arrest.
Similar privileges were given to former Korean Presidents Roh Tae-woo and Chun Doo-hwan, both convicted of treason. Roh was held in a 22-square-meter solitary cell which contained a living room, visitation room, and a bathroom when he was arrested in 1995; Chun was given a 21-square-meter cell with the same facilities the same year.
The court approved detention for another six month last Friday, a decision Park decried, calling it political revenge. Afterwards, all of her lawyers here resigned in protest.
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