‘Challenge Of Balancing Competing Rights’

May 12, 2017

The “challenge of balancing competing rights is a dynamic and evolving duty that requires constant consideration,” and the Human Rights Commission said will they continue to work with the government, LGBTQ community, religious institutions and other stakeholders to “ensure that freedom of religion together with freedom from discrimination and equality for all will be upheld in Bermuda.”

The HRC said, “The Human Rights Commission is in agreement with the ruling of Justice Charles-Etta Simmons which reinforces the Commission’s position that the primacy of the Human Rights Act, 1981 should be upheld, equality enforced, and rights respected.

“The decision also confirms that the Human Rights Act, 1981 serves as an important tool to protect the rights in keeping with the spirit of protection of rights and freedoms under our Constitution. At its core, this is an issue of equality and ensuring that all people are treated equally under the law.

“The issue of same-sex marriage has been a highly divisive one and whilst many are in support of the historic judgement issued by the Supreme Court on Friday May 5, 2017, there are strongly held views opposing the judgment, and the Commission recognizes this reality.

“The challenge of balancing competing rights is a dynamic and evolving duty that requires constant consideration. The Human Rights Commission takes this responsibility very seriously and in the coming months we will continue to work with the government, members of the LGBTQ community, religious institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that freedom of religion together with freedom from discrimination and equality for all will be upheld in Bermuda.

“The HRC is a resource for the public, and will continue to work with all members of the community to address questions and concerns on this matter as well as all other Human Rights matters moving forward.

“Please feel free to visit or call the Human Rights Commission at 295-5859. The HRC is located at 32 Victoria Street [opposite Sears], on the ground floor of Milner House. Emails can be submitted to humanrights@gov.bm.”

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Comments (11)

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  1. Torch says:

    Don’t see how anyone can take the HRC seriously in protecting all human rights when they have avoided rights against age discrimination and show an apparent bias against people of faith. Their efforts have been very selective.

    • sandgrownan says:

      Given that people of faith have, historically, and continue to be the group largely responsible for the trampling of people’s rights, this comment is ridiculous in the extreme.

      It sounds like you’re one of those who is upset that you have lost the ability to discriminate against those who don’t think like you. Kind of like the idiots in PM.

      Freedom of religion or faith, also means freedom FROM religion. Until the religious keep their ideas to themselves, stop forcing their ideas on others, I will maintain the right to treat them with contempts and ridicule.

    • Mike Hind says:

      What bias against people of faith? When have they ever show this?
      If you’re going to make accusations, you have to back them up.

    • Zevon says:

      Burt sad there is no place for bigotry in Bermuda. Yet the churches are as bigoted as ever.

    • CT says:

      The HRC is currently in discussions with the Government about amending the HRA to protect against age discrimination. Unfortunately, it does take a long time to get amendments in front of the House — the additional protections recently for mental health took a few years.

  2. aceboy says:

    How can you have competing human rights? It is or isn’t a human right. It only becomes competing in this case because one group is attempting to deny a human right.

    • A Chap called Vanz says:

      Exactly. As someone who was raised in the Christian faith, I am getting really pi$$ed off with people selectively choosing certain passages of the Bible to excuse their hate and bigotry.
      If you’re going to live you life to the letter of the Word your life will be one big contradiction.

  3. Bermuda Mom says:

    Torch your are absolutely right. They support the LGBT community and do not respect those who support the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
    An example of this was when they did not support a group of Bermudians that had booked convention space at Hamilton Princess. Only to then be denied.
    Nor did they speak out when Hamilton Princess denied the American speaker, a tourist ,the right to speak on traditional marriage. Ironically, that was the law of the land.

    Perhaps Hamilton Princess should put a comment on their check-in card that states if the prospective hotel guest supports traditional marriage only, they need not stay there.

    I’m Just saying…be consistent at least.

    With that said, the public need their money back for paying the people at the HRC a salary for administering a one sided view.

    • bdaboy says:

      “They support the LGBT community and do not respect those who support the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.”

      You’re demanding that you be respected for being a bigot?
      You’re crazy.

  4. LOVE WINS says:

    That people who belong to religious groups would deny others their right of equality has to be a sin. Indeed it is unloving and unkind.
    #lovewins