Human Rights complaints follow upward trend
Complaints to Bermuda’s Human Rights Commission continue to follow an upward trend, with issues relating to employment, access to services and workplace harassment the most common concerns raised last year.
As revealed in the organisation’s annual report for 2025, 215 intakes were received from members of the public, up from 179 in 2024.
The most commonly identified protected ground was gender, which represented 19 per cent of identified protected grounds, followed by disability at 18 per cent and ethnic or national origin at 14 per cent.
In 2025, employment-related discrimination remained the most frequently reported concern, accounting for 31 per cent of all identified areas of discrimination.
Complaints involving goods, facilities and services represented 17 per cent of reported cases, while workplace harassment accounted for 13 per cent.
Of these intakes, 118 were queries, 96 were complaints and one was a special programme application. This continues an upward trend in public engagement since 2022.
Compared with the previous reporting period, queries increased by 24 per cent, while complaints rose by 16 per cent in 2025.
The report was tabled in the House of Assembly, where Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors described the rise in intakes as “significant”.
Complaints or queries are classified as intakes and consist of any form of contact made by a member of the public who intends to file a human rights complaint or obtain information, guidance, or assistance from the office.
The report also highlights the Commission’s ongoing efforts to advance disability inclusion in Bermuda.
A road map displays a route towards advancing disability inclusion and supporting the island in meeting its domestic and international obligations, including those under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was extended to Bermuda in 2024.
During the year, the organisation participated in the Caribbean Disability Network Conference in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The Commission also continued its public education and outreach efforts through presentations, round table discussions, panel engagements and consultations focused on human rights obligations and Bermuda’s human rights framework.
Collaboration remained a key component of the work.
Throughout the reporting period, the Commission partnered with a range of organisations to advance initiatives promoting equality, inclusion and non-discrimination.
Partnerships included Ageing and Disability Services, Bermuda Is Love, the Bermuda National Library, Imagine Bermuda, Beyond Inclusion, Vision Bermuda and OutBermuda.
Ms Furbert added: “The Commission continued its advisory role to Government and stakeholders, participating in approximately 20 policy reviews and consultations on matters including constitutional reform, disability rights, age discrimination, pay transparency, HIV criminalisation and human rights protections.”
• To read the report and statement, see Related Media
You must be Registered or to post comment or to vote.
