Recruitment For Human Rights Tribunal Panel
People who may be interested in serving on the Human Rights Tribunal are invited to apply, and the deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 2nd.
A spokesperson said, “The Selection and Appointment Committee [SAC] for Human Rights is looking to empanel the Human Rights Tribunal to adjudicate discrimination complaints referred to them by the Executive Officer of the Office of the Human Rights Commission. Recruitment is underway and the deadline for submissions is Wednesday, 2 March at 3:00pm.
Mr. Seth Darrell , Head of SAC remarked, “We are encouraged by the current level of public engagement and the diverse group of persons, both new and previous applicants, who have lodged applications to serve such a critically important quasi-judicial role.
“We wish to remind other interested persons of this tremendous opportunity and tremendous responsibility to be a stalwart of Bermuda’s human rights institution, meaningfully steering the protection and promotion of human rights in Bermuda for all her residents.”
A spokesperson said, “The SAC adheres to the well-established appointment standards for National Human Rights Institutions [based on guidance set out by the United Nations under the ‘Paris Principles’], which fosters a public and inclusive application process.
Seth Darrell commented, “Perhaps most importantly, our role as the SAC provides an opportunity for the implementation of recent amendments to Bermuda’s human rights legislation which create a separation between the Human Rights Tribunal and the Human Rights Commission, marking a significant step in ensuring that Bermuda has a truly independent Human Rights Tribunal to safeguard human rights in Bermuda.”
Mr Darrell added, “Commissioners are therefore ineligible for appointment unless a period of more than two years has elapsed since the individual concerned has completed service as a Commissioner.
“Further, the eligibility criteria has been fixed to exclude serving members of the Judiciary, the Legislature and Public Officers to mitigate against the potential existence of multiple conflicts of interest due to the nature of their work.”
“The Human Rights Tribunal panel will consist of twelve [12] to fifteen [15] persons with the capacity to efficiently adjudicate proceedings [which may require three [3] to five [5] full days to complete]. Judgement Writing Training will be provided for all Human Rights Tribunal panel members.
Mr Darrell continued, “Human Rights [as enshrined in both the Bermuda Constitution Order 1968 and the more modern and evolved anti-discrimination framework promulgated by the Human Rights Act 1981, as amended], is an omphalic pillar of our community. As such, the SAC is committed to attracting a dedicated and capable group of persons reflective of Bermuda’s community to serve as a Human Rights Tribunal panel member.”
“The SAC is comprised of five members who each are Human Rights patriots, committed to building a more equal and rights-respecting society and executing their statutory duties faithfully: Seth Darrell [Head], Chiara Nannini, Dennis Pimentel, Cherie Dill and Senator Robin Tucker.
“For more information and to review Application Guidance and submit an Application Form, please visit www.humanrights.bm/sac-application-home or email SAC@gov.bm.”
