Human Rights Commission 2022 Annual Report
The Human Rights Commission for Bermuda Annual Report 2022 was tabled in the House of Assembly today [June 30].
A spokesperson said, “The Human Rights Commission [the Commission] for Bermuda announced its Annual Report 2022 was tabled in the House of Assembly today, Friday June 30, 2023 in accordance with Section 30A[1] of the Human Rights Act, 1981 [the Act] and is now available to the public.”
Executive Officer Lisa Reed stated, “The Annual Report provides a streamlined account of the Commission’s activities and observations for the reporting period January 1 – December 31, 2022.”
The spokesperson said, “Highlights of the report include:
- “During the reporting period, discriminatory treatment based on the protected grounds of race, place of origin, colour, ethnic or national origins comprised 32%, when combined, of all grounds identified by members of the public. Disability followed and comprised 24% of all identified grounds, followed by sex, representing 10%.
- “In the areas of discrimination identified by members of the public, 28% concerned employment. Among the remaining areas of discrimination, the areas that ranked highest were harassment within the workplace at 19%, followed by sexual harassment at 18% and discrimination within goods, facilities, and services at 12%.
- “The appointment of a panel of 13 members to the Human Rights Tribunal for the 2022-2025 term by the Selection and Appointment Committee for Bermuda. Establishing the independent tribunal creates a clear separation between the role and functions of the Tribunal and the Commission to ensure Bermuda has an independent Human Rights Tribunal that can efficiently and expertly adjudicate human rights cases.
- “The Commission details its submission concerning the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 2022 Universal Periodic Review [UPR] to Government House and the Government of Bermuda. The UPR is a state-driven peer review process to assess the human rights situation in every UN Member State. Incorporating human rights standards into policy and legislative development helps ensure the integration of rights into national decision-making.”
Ms. Reed continued, “In submitting our 2022 Annual Report, I acknowledge the courage of individuals and organisations who stand up for and champion human rights protection, both their own and the rights of others. Serving as Officers of the Human Rights Commission is a privilege. The Commission is a non-Ministry office and as Bermuda’s National Human Rights Institution, we are committed to strategic and steadfast evolution to realise a Bermuda that honours and protects human rights for all.”
Ms. Reed concluded, “The digital Annual Report 2022 is available on our website. Printed copies of the report and in-person discussions are available to those requiring access assistance.
“The Office of the Commission welcomes questions and feedback related to this year’s Annual Report and our work in general. Please contact us by phone at 295-5859, email humanrights@gov.bm or visit our Office at 32 Victoria Street, Milner Place, Ground Floor, Hamilton.”
The HRC Annual Report 2022 follows below [PDF here]:
