‘We are trying to protect rights in a proportionate way’

Legislation is being developed and debated to give legal protection on the characteristics of disability, carer status, race, sexual orientation, religious belief, age and equal pay.

‘What we’re trying to achieve is for people in Guernsey to have their fundamental rights protected and upheld by legislation that protects them, but in a proportionate way that aligns with that seen in other advanced economies, securing Guernsey’s reputation on the world stage,’ said Employment & Social Security president Peter Roffey.

It is expected that the first phase of protection will appear in a second discrimination ordinance in January.

Deputy Roffey assured that good employers have ‘nothing to fear’ from the new legislation because they will already be operating in a way that is compliant with the law.

The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was extended to Guernsey in 1969, but still nothing has been done to enact it.

Last year ESS said the pandemic would not stop the ICERD from moving forward and finally making it illegal to discriminate on the grounds of race.

‘I think it will be a real milestone when we finally fulfil our obligation to outlaw racial discrimination some 52 years after committing to do so,’ said Deputy Roffey.

Human Rights Day this year is centring around the assurance that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

The day has been observed each year since 1948, on the same day the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

‘Equality and human rights are intrinsically linked, so it’s very relevant on Human Rights Day to recognise where Guernsey is in its own journey,’ said Deputy Roffey.