Rights watchdog argues against mask ban at rallies

SEOUL, June 9 (Yonhap) -- The state human rights watchdog advised Tuesday against
banning face masks at street rallies, a measure sought by the ruling party.

The ruling Grand National Party proposed revisions to the public assembly law
last year to prohibit protesters from wearing masks to cover their face, arguing
that anonymity behind the masks tend to fuel violence. The bill is pending
parliamentary approval.
"The argument is based on a wrong premise that those who wear face masks engage
in illegal violent protests," the National Human Rights Commission of Korea said.
"It is against the Constitutional Court's ruling that the freedom to assemble
includes the rights to choose what to wear."
The recommendation was sent to the house speaker and to the chairman of the
parliamentary committee on internal affairs, the commission said.
brk@yna.co.kr
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