Kasari Govender, British Columbia Commissioner for Human Rights. The BC human rights commissioner wrote to Dr. Bonnie Henry, suggesting that it was too early to lift the provincial mask order. “Removing the mask mandate will do disproportionate harm to those already marginalized, forcing many to retire from daily life activities in an effort to protect their health and reduce their ability to enjoy their human rights to the fullest,” he wrote. Kasari. Govender. Dr. Henry terminated the public health mandate that required masks on March 11th. Govender urges the Public Health Officer to ensure that all actions respect the human rights of all people, including those most vulnerable to COVID-19, such as Indigenous peoples, races, the elderly and people with disabilities, including which are immunosuppressed. “It is understandable that two years after the global pandemic, many people are tired of wearing masks. But the requirement to wear a mask indoors is a relatively minor violation of an individual’s autonomy and an inconvenience in exercising his or her rights. “I also agree that we can never eliminate all the risks and that we will have to learn to live with an endemic virus,” he said. society. marginalized or medically vulnerable minority. He adds that although some people do not like to wear masks, it is not a compelling argument when weighing on the rights of others, and at this stage of the pandemic we must not turn our backs on our mutual responsibility to hold each other safe. Govender points out that children under the age of five are not yet eligible for vaccination, but will attend school without masks. Today was the first day of returning to classes in some parts of BC. after the spring break, and since Dr. Henry announced that his term would end. Govender concludes her letter by saying, “There will come a day when the mask can be removed, but that day is not here yet.” The Office of the BC Commissioner for Human Rights exists to address the root causes of inequality, discrimination and injustice in the province by changing laws, policies, practices and cultures through education, research, advocacy, research and monitoring. It is not the British Columbia Court of Human Rights, the organization that receives complaints from people who oppose public health orders, such as those who require face coverage. The court notes on its website that the Human Rights Code does not protect people who oppose mask rules because of their personal beliefs, but protects those who cannot wear a mask because of a protected feature, such as disability. In most cases, it has dismissed complaints related to masks during the pandemic. The court warned the public last year that anyone thinking of filing a complaint because they were told to wear a face mask in a public place, such as a store, would have to prove they have a disability that prevents them from doing so.
