Tawana Tannock, the Human Rights Commission’s newly appointed president, sees “exciting and dynamic times” ahead for human rights in Bermuda.

“Human rights have been at the forefront of Bermuda’s imagination for the last three years — it’s a great time to have an impact,” said Ms Tannock, a former prosecutor who has served on the HRC for four years.

The commission was successful in getting a pledge from the Bermuda Government to include mental health under human rights law, and getting the amendment passed by Parliament will be the HRC’s first priority going forward.

“Something else we’re trying to champion is discrimination by association, which is discrimination when you are affiliated with, say, certain political groups or the labour movement,” Ms Tannock said.

Other legal amendments to be tackled cover the definitions of what constitutes a public place, and discrimination with the written word.

“The first part of my tenure will be focused on ensuring that the progress we have made so far will not be lost,” Ms Tannock said.

The HRC, which will move next month to a new home at Milner Place on Victoria Street, is also to gain greater independence as a non-ministerial department.

Another “hot button” human rights issue is same-sex marriage. Ms Tannock said: “I call it marriage equality. We believe that marriage is a right that should be available to everybody regardless of their sexual orientation.

“The Supreme Court decision in the Bermuda Bred case, which comes into effect on February 29, is an important step to ensuring parity for all people.”

Ms Tannock referred to the November case in which Ian Kawaley, the Chief Justice, ruled that those in same-sex partnerships with Bermudians should have the same rights to reside and seek employment as spouses.

Ms Tannock is one of four commissioners who has stayed on to maintain continuity for the new board, which she described as highly diverse.

“We will have orientation for the new members at the end of February,” she said. “Then we can get to press ahead with education, awareness, advocacy and, of course, hearing tribunals.”