KJIPUKTUK (Halifax) – Many people in Nova Scotia have their human rights violated each year. Quite often when this occurs, they file a human rights complaint with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) seeking justice and redress.
Yet, the current complaint system at the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) doesn’t seem to be working. Those who have been traumatized by racism, sexism and hate seem to be re-victimized.
There are a number of African Nova Scotians who had their complaint dismissed due to NSHRC staff dropping the ball (NSHRC wording). For some mysterious reason files seem to go missing as it relates to some African Nova Scotians who have filed complaints and some others.
Many African Nova Scotians do not even make it to first base in the complaint process and up until recently there were only Persons of European Decent as intake workers, this is like asking Colonel Sanders to feel compassion for chickens.
Equally, Nova Scotians who have faced racism, anti-Black racism, discrimination and sexism should have more time to lodge complaints with the NSHRC. Currently there is a one-year window to file a complaint. This does not take into account the time and courage quite often needed to file a complaint after having endured pain, suffering and trauma.
As a result of this and other real concerns some cases are dismissed for administrative reasons without providing people with the opportunity to re-file. The whole process needs to be updated and streamlined.
Some individuals who have experienced this nightmare will be holding a news conference on Thursday March 5, 2020, at the North Branch Memorial Library on Gottingen Street at 11am.
Yes — the window for any complaints to the NS Human Rights Commission is only 1 year. This is terribly unfair and denies people their rights. We in Equity Watch also want to get the law changed.
The guidelines and processes are further injurious and must be dismantled! An institution tasked at upholding human rights should never violate them or cause further injury. It is time for a real change! Peoples lives and health are at stake.
The Nova Scotia Human Rights Act is flawed in my view – the Commission is economically deprived among other things. Staff have a meagre budget and do not spend money on substantive litigation that would potentially expose racism, wrong-doing and harassment in many contexts. The Commission takes a case as long as the issue is in the Government’s and the Attorney General’s interest and do so. The individual or group applicants are outnumbered by unconstitutional rules of procedure and presumptive power with respect to privilege, knowledge, finesse, financing, skill, ability and sometimes intellect. This group of out-numbered citizens are the majority of Nova Scotians who are not members of the legal community. We are the vulnerable of society.