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Stop Repression against MTU and Michel Catuira
This petition was published by Migrants Trade Union on Jun 04, 2012
On April 30, Michel Catuira, former president of the Seoul-Gyeongi-Incheon Migrants Trade Union (MTU), was denied entry into South Korea by immigration authorities, despite holding a valid visa. He was not informed of the grounds on which he was denied entry. Instead, he was held overnight at the airport detention center and deported the following morning on May 1.
Catuira had attempted to return to Korea on April 30 to handle matters in relation to an on-going trial regarding the cancellation of his E-9 residence permit by the Seoul Immigration Service. On September 15, 2011, the Seoul 12th Administrative Court issued a ruling in Catuira’s favor, confirming that the Immigration Service’s charges that Caturia had fabricated his employment relationship were false and reaffirmed Catuira’s right to act as president of the MTU. Regrettably, on May 24, 2012 an appeals court overturned this ruling despite the clear evidence in Catuira’s favor.
At the same time the South Korean government refuses to register MTU as legal trade union status, disregarding the 2007 High Court ruling and several ILO recommendations. Moreover, the Supreme Court has delayed issuing a final ruling on MTU’s case for over 5 years.
In light of past attacks against MTU officers, it is clear that Catuira was illegitimately denied entry into Korea because of his relationship to MTU. The outcome of the appeals trial and the Supreme Court’s continued refusal to issue a verdict in MTU’s case are also clearly part of an effort to interfere with MTU’s legitimate union activities. These measures have a highly adverse affect on the human and labor rights of migrant workers in South Korea.
We urgently make the following demands of the South Korean authorities:
1. Withdraw all restrictions on Michel Catuira’s entry into Korea.
2. Respect the decision of the Seoul 12th Administrative Court.
3. Stop all measures aimed at interfering with MTU activities and register it as a legal union.
Catuira had attempted to return to Korea on April 30 to handle matters in relation to an on-going trial regarding the cancellation of his E-9 residence permit by the Seoul Immigration Service. On September 15, 2011, the Seoul 12th Administrative Court issued a ruling in Catuira’s favor, confirming that the Immigration Service’s charges that Caturia had fabricated his employment relationship were false and reaffirmed Catuira’s right to act as president of the MTU. Regrettably, on May 24, 2012 an appeals court overturned this ruling despite the clear evidence in Catuira’s favor.
At the same time the South Korean government refuses to register MTU as legal trade union status, disregarding the 2007 High Court ruling and several ILO recommendations. Moreover, the Supreme Court has delayed issuing a final ruling on MTU’s case for over 5 years.
In light of past attacks against MTU officers, it is clear that Catuira was illegitimately denied entry into Korea because of his relationship to MTU. The outcome of the appeals trial and the Supreme Court’s continued refusal to issue a verdict in MTU’s case are also clearly part of an effort to interfere with MTU’s legitimate union activities. These measures have a highly adverse affect on the human and labor rights of migrant workers in South Korea.
We urgently make the following demands of the South Korean authorities:
1. Withdraw all restrictions on Michel Catuira’s entry into Korea.
2. Respect the decision of the Seoul 12th Administrative Court.
3. Stop all measures aimed at interfering with MTU activities and register it as a legal union.
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