Forklift Human Rights Violation Case, Victim Migrant Worker "Does Not Want Punishment"

A victim of a human rights violation, who was transferred by a forklift while bound to a cargo, has stated that he does not wish for the perpetrator to be punished.

On the 29th, according to the Gwangju-Jeonnam Migrant Workers Network and the Jeonnam Labor Rights Center, A (31), a Sri Lankan national who is a victim of the so-called "Forklift Human Rights Violation Case," met with the legal representative of perpetrator B at around 2 PM in Naju, Jeonnam, and reached an agreement regarding compensation for damages.

Previously, A was subjected to a human rights violation by forklift driver B on February 26 at the brick factory where he works, located in Naju, Jeonnam.

B was arrested without detention on the 25th on charges of special confinement and special assault for tying A to the forklift cargo and hanging him for about five minutes because A smiled.

B was arrested without detention on the 25th on charges of special confinement and special assault for tying A to the forklift cargo and hanging him for about five minutes because A smiled.

What is the real reason for not wanting punishment?

Several reasons appear to underlie A's declaration that he does not want punishment for the perpetrator.

The network stressed that A's decision not to seek punishment for B does not mean that A is forgiving B.

Although specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed, it is reported that A made this decision due to the mental burden of having to undergo investigations by the police and labor authorities in the future, as well as the inconvenience of facing B.

Sohn Sang-yong, the network’s chairman, stated, “The victim migrant worker does not want to suffer anymore from past incidents and has no plans to submit a non-punishment statement or a petition to the investigative agency at all.”

Image source: Jeonnam Migrant Workers Human Rights Network provided.