A Human Rights Commission for the 21st Century

By reporting to the Legislature as opposed to the Attorney General, the commission can build trust with British Columbians and ensure that it is free to speak the truth through candid commentary on the actions of government and its elected officials. [...] This campaign should address topics such as the rights of persons with disabilities, gender identity and expression, the role of the commission, and the responsibilities of employers, service providers and landlords, to name just a few. [...] The Commission will have to prioritize its goals and define its roles along the continuum of upholding a policy and changing everyday behaviour.” — Mela 18 A Human Rights Commission for the 21st Century: British Columbians Talk About Human Rights RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO A NEW HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION A: Creation of a Human Rights Commission 1. Recommendation on the independence of the commission [...] Long waits to have cases settled should be avoided.” — Maria 19 A report and recommendations to the Attorney General of British Columbia B: Purpose of the new Human Rights Commission 3. Recommendation for commission’s role in relation to the Human Rights Tribunal B. C.’s new Human Rights Commission should proactively promote and advocate for human rights. [...] More specifically, the Paris Principles state that a commission has the responsibility “to assist in the formulation of programmes for the teaching of, and research into, human rights and to take part in their execution in schools, universities and professional circles”.