A/HRC/29/46/Add.1 treatment and non-discrimination, developed in consultation with non-governmental organizations, was proposed by the previous legislature. The draft law was rejected by the National Assembly, however, in September 2012. Although several interlocutors, including parliamentarians, supported the adoption of such a comprehensive law, the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that the matter was not a subject for debate in parliament at the time of the visit. It also seems that popular support for such a reform is lacking. 18. While there is no general law on the prohibition of discrimination, there are a number of laws that prohibit discrimination in each respective area. Those laws vary in terms of anti-discrimination grounds and scope, and the level of protection and punishment. Such laws include the National Human Rights Commission Act, the Anti-Discrimination against and Remedies for Persons with Disabilities Act, the Act on Age Discrimination Prohibition in Employment and Aged Employment Promotion, the Labour Standards Act, the Equal Employment and Support for Work-Family Reconciliation Act, the Act on the Protection, etc., of Fixed-Term and Part-Time Employees and the Act on the Protection, etc., of Dispatched Workers. 19. The Special Rapporteur was also informed of the enactment of the comprehensive Refugee Act in 2012, which he considers a welcome development given the increasing number of requests for refugee status that the Republic of Korea receives. The Special Rapporteur was able to see first hand the efforts undertaken by the Government to process claims of refugees and asylum seekers in a fair, transparent and timely manner by visiting an immigration reception centre in Incheon. Although the percentage of claims that are accepted remains very low, revision and appeal procedures have been established to ensure a fair hearing and decision by the immigration authorities for those who arrive in the Republic of Korea and seek asylum. IV. Institutional framework for combating racism 20. The Special Rapporteur was pleased to note that there are credible institutions engaged in the fight against racism and discrimination in the Republic of Korea. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur met with representatives of NHRCK, an independent institution which is mandated to play an important role in combating racism and racial discrimination. NHRCK was set up by an act of parliament in 2001 as a national advocacy institution for human rights protection. The Commission is composed of 11 commissioners: the chairperson, 3 standing commissioners and 7 non-standing commissioners. Of the 11 commissioners, 4 are elected by the National Assembly, 4 are nominated by the President of the Republic of Korea and 3 are nominated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and then approved by the President. 21. NHRCK has a mandate to investigate the human rights violations perpetrated by central and local governments and to provide remedies to the victims. The Commission also has jurisdiction over discrimination committed by private entities and organizations on the basis of sex, religion, disability, age, social status, nationality, race, region of origin, appearance, marital status, pregnancy, family status, skin colour, ideas, political orientation, sexual orientation, medical history, etc. At the same time, the Commission has the authority to conduct investigations on its own initiative if there is a reason to believe that human rights violations or discrimination have occurred and that the cases are considered crucial for the promotion and protection of human rights. The Commission has a permanent secretariat that is divided into several branches, which include the Anti-Discrimination Division. The NHRCK vision is to create a society where the dignity and human rights of all persons, including foreigners living in the Republic of Korea, are fully respected and realized. To that end, NHRCK is committed to the full implementation of all human rights set forth in the Constitution, as well as international human rights standards at the domestic 6