'We don't deal with deep tensions and issues between groups - expert
Published Monday November 16th, 2009
Human rights | Chair to examine what's gone wrong and what can be improved
Paul Groarke says the public isn't aware of the degree to which discrimination has infiltrated society.
Groarke, endowed chair in criminology and criminal justice at St. Thomas University, was a member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for 11 years.
He completed his last decision in 2006. Tonight, he will discuss his experiences and opinions regarding human rights during a lecture entitled Why Human Rights Law Fails: Repairing the Relations Between Groups.
The lecture will focus on some of the problems Groarke has observed within the tribunal. He said that many of these problems are caused by denial and ignorance surrounding issues of discrimination.
"My experience on the tribunal leads me to believe that we are not dealing with the real issues," Groarke said. "We don't deal with the deep tensions and issues between groups.
"There are people out there who do not recognize the fundamental equality of everyone in our society. That is a serious concern that we should be addressing."
Groarke said the tribunal was initially created as a way to educate and inform Canadians about some of the serious issues that exist in our society.
He said this system has failed, because many cases are now mediated and are resolved without a public hearing.
The parties involved often refuse to settle without the guarantee of a confidentiality clause, which prevents details of the settlement from being disclosed.
As long as mediated cases are not made public, Groarke said, it will be impossible to set precedents or deal with the fact that many cases impact not only the individuals who are directly involved, but entire groups of people.
Groarke also plans to comment on recent tribunal cases during his lecture, including the Lemire case. This case led members of the tribunal to question whether Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, which deals with hate messages, threatens the right to freedom of speech.
Groarke said while free speech is important, there must be regulations to keep discrimination under control.
"I think the tribunal should play an important part in determining what can and cannot be published," Groarke said. "I believe in free speech, but there are people out there who will not hesitate to say that people in other groups are not entitled to the dignity and respect of being treated as a human being.
"In my view, things are getting worse, yet we are talking about the issues less and less."
Groarke also said that he thinks the media should be given more access to tribunal rulings, and should play a bigger role in educating the public.
The lecture begins at 7 p.m. in the Ted Daigle Auditorium at STU.
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Groarke also said that he thinks the media should be given more access to tribunal rulings, and should play a bigger role in educating the public.
I don't think the media should play any role unless you can find someone who is willing to print the truth and not their own prejudices like whatis happening now. Not too sure you can find someone like that as they always want to include sensationalism just so you will listen to them and they have a habit of printing half truths.
I hate monday mornings - still cranky from the weekend
and Christmas??? if you don't celebrate it. good for you. but leave our sacred traditions alone. they were here long before you were. we dont tell you what to celebrate, don't try to tell us.
merry christmas, and enjoy your christmas trees. and all of the lovely christmas carols that some brave dj might play