Her Excellency, the Governor Jane Owen, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ben Tonner KC as Chairman of the Human Rights Commission (HRC). Mr. Tonner has served as Member of the HRC for over four (4) years spanning 2015 to 2018 and more recently from 1 September 2022 to 19 November 2023. Mr. Tonner’s tenure as Chairman commenced on 20 November 2023.
Read MoreStatement of Condolences
The Commissions Secretariat, and the six independent Commissions that it supports, are deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of our former Manager Ms. Deborah Susan Bodden.
The Human Rights Commission continues to stay abreast of issues related to the local processing and detention of migrants and asylum matters...
Read MoreOn 14 March 2022, the Judicial Committee of the UK Privy Council (“The Privy Council”) delivered its decision on the issue of same sex marriage in the Cayman Islands.
The Privy Council dismissed the appeal, brought by Ms Chantelle Day and Ms Vickie Bodden Bush against the decision of the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal, and confirmed the Court of Appeal's interpretation of the Cayman Islands Bill of Rights as not including a right for same sex couples to marry.
The Human Rights Commission continues to follow the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and its implications for Cayman Islands residents. Most recently the Commission noted the Cayman Islands Government’s newly proposed regulations requiring COVID-19 vaccinations in specified groups.
Read MoreThe Human Rights Commission remains vigilant and attentive to human rights matters in relation to the ongoing amendment/developments of local COVID-19 legislation.
Read MoreThe Human Rights Commission is aware of the concern which has been publicly raised with regards to quarantined individuals who remain in mandatory isolation as part of the COVID-19 protocols potentially being disenfranchised of their right to vote.
Read MoreThe Human Rights Commission is aware of the general concern and public interest in relation to the matter of the Cuban refugees who have been actively and peacefully protesting on the steps in front of the Government Administration Building over the past week. By way of background, a number of Cuban political refugees who have been granted asylum in the Cayman Islands are seeking rights for their spouses to obtain similar residency and employment rights in the Cayman Islands.
Read MoreWith continued growing public concern around the leadership and decisions of the country, the Commission again takes the opportunity to reiterate the importance of the Country establishing a Parliamentary Code of Conduct.
Read MoreThe Human Rights Commission (HRC) introduces today a new brand identity to better align itself with the universal logo for human rights. The new logo features a stylized bird in flight, with an outstretched wing which symbolizes a hand, all underpinned by a bold equals sign representing equality for all. The vibrant green is symbolic of land and the blue representational of the sea to illustrate the Cayman Islands.
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