General
Updated: October 19, 2023
Vancouver, B.C. – BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC), in partnership with the Human Rights Tribunal and the Human Rights Clinic at the Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS), has released resources to help people navigate B.C.’s human rights system, including an interactive web portal at bchumanrightssystem.ca.
The B.C. Human Rights System web portal provides a clear and concise overview of the different parts of the human rights system in British Columbia, and helps people understand where they can turn for the support they need.
In addition to the web portal, BCOHRC has produced a video and printed handouts explaining the province’s human rights system in an engaging, easily understandable way.
“We know that navigating the human rights system can be complex and overwhelming, especially for those who are experiencing discrimination or harassment,” said Kasari Govender, B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner. “Human rights institutions are a vital part of a functioning democracy, but the system is only as good as its accessibility to those seeking support. The resources we are releasing today aim to help people navigate the system to access the support they need, when they need it.”
“It is important that people in British Columbia understand where to access the support they need to address human rights concerns,” said Emily Ohler, Chair of the BC Human Rights Tribunal. “These resources will be a helpful tool for building that understanding, and we encourage everyone to visit the portal and learn more about their rights and the resources available to them.”
“By helping people better understand their rights and the resources available to them, we hope to ultimately create a more just and equitable society,” said Laura Track, Director of CLAS’s Human Rights Clinic. “I am confident these resources will prove to be invaluable tools for people of all walks of life across British Columbia.”
Translations of the video and printed handouts are available in 11 languages, including Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Farsi, French, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
Resources
- B.C. Human Rights System web portal: bchumanrightssystem.ca
- Video: B.C.’s human rights system: bchumanrights.ca/video-series/introducing-human-rights#system
- Handouts: bchumanrightssystem.ca/additional-resources
Find this release as a PDF here.
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Media contact
To request an interview with Commissioner Kasari Govender, please contact Lindsey Bertrand, Senior Communications Advisor, at media@bchumanrights.ca or 604-306-736.
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Visit our media kit for images of Commissioner Kasari Govender and other resources.
About BCOHRC
BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner exists to address the root causes of inequality, discrimination and injustice in B.C. by shifting laws, policies, practices and cultures. We do this work through education, research, advocacy, inquiry and monitoring. Learn more at: bchumanrights.ca
About the Commissioner
B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, started her five-year term on Sept. 3, 2019. As an independent officer of the Legislature, Commissioner Govender is uniquely positioned to ensure human rights in B.C. are protected, respected and advanced on a systemic level. Her work through BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner centres listening deeply to British Columbians to inform educational materials, policy guidance, public inquiries, interventions, community-based research and more that protects marginalized communities, addresses discrimination and injustice and upholds human rights for all.
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