Grievances, mainly related to workplace discrimination, rose 20 per cent in 2025 for the island’s Human Rights Commission, which fielded 215 complaints last year.

The group said 77 per cent of complaints got resolved, with 23 per cent continuing.

It issued a statement after MPs reviewed the 2026-27 Budget along with the commission’s priorities for the new fiscal year under the Human Rights Act 1981.

After discrimination on the job, access to goods and services ranked next on complaints, followed by workplace harassment.

The HRC said that some complainants were given referrals to other agencies as well as independent legal advice.

For cases that advanced to investigation, parties were offered a place in the HRC voluntary mediation programme, with an independent go-between.

Nine matters proceeded to mediation last year, with four resolved, three unresolved and two still active at the end of 2025.

The commission said that valid complaints that went unresolved from mediation could be referred by its executive officer to the independent Human Rights Tribunal.

At present, the tribunal is considering 13 cases — although the number could reach 23 in 2026-27, with the potential to undercut funding for panel members.

A preliminary decision was issued by the tribunal in 2025 for a case set to proceed to a substantive hearing this year.

The commission’s proposed allocation for 2026-27 was just under $1.53 million, up 6 per cent on the $1.43 million given for the previous year.

It attributed the rise to cost-of-living salary increases along with “ongoing operational requirements”. The HRC has seven full-time staff.

The commission reported delivering 71 educational and outreach events, including 26 formal presentations for 2025-26, with organisations including the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, Tomorrow’s Voices, Vision Bermuda and the Bermuda Police Service.

It took part in youth engagement through the Human Rights Education Network while Lisa Reed, the executive officer, spoke on human rights and inclusion, covering talks on ethical leadership and disability.

The HRC continues to guide implementing recommendations from the July 2025 Disability Inclusion Report, which highlighted barriers in education, work, transport, healthcare and access to public services.

Ms Reed said the island had “clear obligations”, with priorities on representation for people with disabilities in decisions affecting them; strengthening enforcement of existing protections; and the development of a national disability strategy.

International engagement included Ms Reed sharing findings on inclusion last October in the Caribbean Disability Network Conference in Barbados.

This summer, the commission is to host a regional fact-finding delegation led by Kerryann Ifill, the Barbados Human Rights Commissioner.

It also plans to develop a strategic 2026-28 plan, and issue recommendations on legislative gaps on age protection in employment.

Download PDF File

HRC 2025-26.pdf

• To read the HRC statement in full, see Related Media