North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights |
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February 13, 2003
Letter to the Editor: Senate Bill 2306, which would have created a volunteer and independent North Dakota Commission on Human Rights, was defeated by the North Dakota Senate on Tuesday, February 11, 2003, despite being scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee the next day. I, and other citizens who came to provide information to the Senate Appropriations Committee never got the chance to do so. Our right to offer amendments to the bill at the hearing which had been scheduled the week before, was taken away by the Senate’s altogether too hasty action. With the defeat of bill, the concerns of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition regarding the ability of the Division of Human Rights within the North Dakota Department of Labor can not be addressed. For 18 months, the Division of Human Rights had promised to take action on many requests, none of which were accomplished before the legislative session started. For example, the release of the 2001 Public Perception Study of Discrimination in North Dakota, was acted on only after the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition brought its existence and lack of availability to the public to the attention of the legislature in January, 2002. The Commission was able to release the survey when it became available, in April, 2002, and would have been able to assist the Division, administration and legislature in formulating responses to the information contained in that survey. The North Dakota Commission on Human Rights would have been able to assist the Division in many other ways. The Division is not listed in the telephone books around the state. This in effect denies those looking for information on human rights or discrimination the ability to find it in the local phone book. The Division intended to be listed in the telephone books more than a year ago, but has still not done it.. An independent Commission on Human Rights would have had its members around the state assist the Division in getting listed in the local telephone books. An independent North Dakota Commission on Human Rights would be a shining example of the state's commitment to embracing and celebrating diversity, both to its residents and those who might be considering residence moving to North Dakota, and a visible response to the complexities that diversity can bring for those who live here. The Commission, made up of volunteers, would have been a low-cost resource for those who are assessing the ability of the state of North Dakota to respond to and encourage diversity in the state. It also could be a resource for communities that would like to attract and retain residents of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Almost 40 organizations in the state of North Dakota support an independent Commission on Human Rights. These organizations are diverse in nature and scope, and represent many of our citizens in varied capacities. By refusing to accept such Commission, the Senate lost an opportunity to provide North Dakota with a resource that would have enhanced the State's quality of life. Cheryl Bergian Director, North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Contact your representatives.
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North Dakota Human Rights Coalition P.O. Box 1961 Fargo, North Dakota 58107-1961 Phone: (701) 239-9323 Fax: (701) 478-4452 Email: humanrights@ndhrc.org
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