Saturday, April 3, 2010

Rex Murphy and human rights

Rex Murphy says human rights ought to exist to protect citizens against the government.

Perhaps that should be the law, but human rights commissions in Canada were created to prevent discrimination by Canadians against each other. Initially human rights commissions investigated overt discrimination in accommodation and services -- hotels explicitly not open to Jews and similar. Such work was largely non contentious.

Recent controversies likely arise from success in eliminating overt discrimination; classified ads no longer say, for example, "white males only" need apply. Absent overt discrimination commissions perforce must investigate more subtle forms of prejudice -- whether this is appropriate is a matter for the legislatures and Parliament.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

" whether this is appropriate is a matter for the legislatures and Parliament."


Perhaps ultimately that is true.But,only the public can force them to reconsider the status quo. It is quite clear some of the decisions and cases are a farce.

We have seen cities forced to hold parades,restaurants serve marijuana smoking patrons and now insult comics may be forced to stop insulting.

This is similar to the long gun registry. If people who support HRC do not help fix the obvious problems then one day they might be completely dismantled. One can only hope.

Stephen Downes said...

Actually, there is still no shortage of overt discrimination.

The only thing that has changed is that opponents of human rights commissions have started calling it "covert".

Anonymous said...

"The only thing that has changed is that opponents of human rights commissions have started calling it "covert"."
A frightening bulls-eye.

Anyong said...

Discrimmination of any kind has to do with the way people are raised...nothing shorter,nothing longer and has everything to do with self-esteem.

Anonymous said...

Seemingly it is ok for governments to discriminate.In Ontario Catholics enjoy full public funding for their schools as for the rest;Tough. I could be wrong but I don't think the HRC can touch this one. It is too easy to cherrypick human rights. This is in part the problem with this kangaroo court.

The Rat said...

"Absent overt discrimination commissions perforce must investigate more subtle forms of prejudice"

That's a very interesting thing you said there. "Must". Must they, really? Or is it possible, once they have fulfilled their mandate, they cease to exist? The many cases of "discrimination" being brought forward today are laughable compared to Jews being unwelcome, or white males only. Our society has advanced enough, thank you, I don't feel the need for a manners-nanny telling me my language is offensive.

Anonymous said...

And to Rat: I'm sure you were the school yard bully that we are spending so many tax dollars to rid our schools of!

We teach our kids not to insult people, not to call names not to bully people. Then they read in the news that the adults want the right to say whatever they want regarless of who it hurts.

Yes the Adult bullies of the world don't want the gov't telling them to behave any more than the did their principal. But tough, you are wrong and go to your room!