A.
CONFIDENTAL
Human Rights Commission
Annex E
Nature of such Commissions
1.
Commissions of this nature exist in the U.K. (Commission for Racial Equality, Equal Opportunities Commission) and in Canada and Australia at the federal and provincial/state levels.
2.
Typically such commissions have a large measure
of independence from government and perform some or all of the following functions.
(a) The enforcement of particular laws, usually
those prohibiting various forms of discrimination
in areas of employment, provision of services,
and accommodation. Enforcement is usually
designed to provide practical, relatively speedy and inexpensive remedies for victims of discrimination. Commissions are typically
empowered to receive complaints, to investigate, to seek agreement to resolve the problem,
.
and if necessary and warranted to take the complainant's case before a tribunal which can order reinstatement, damages, etc. Experience
in other jurisdictions has shown that remedies
of this nature are more effective and much
more accessible to vulnerable sections of
the community than are judicial remedies.
(b) The conduct of research and education programs
to engender better understanding of human
rights problems generally.
fc) To comment when warranted on legislation or
CONFIDENTIAL
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