Human Rights Day Commemorated in Digby

To mark International Human Rights Day on Monday, Dec. 10, commemorations were held at Digby Regional High School. The event was organized by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission in conjunction with the high school.

"Human rights touch the lives of all Nova Scotians," said Michael Baker, Minister responsible for the administration of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. "It is important to provide all people in our province with the opportunity to engage in a dialogue about this fundamental aspect of our democracy."

The theme chosen by the students for the day was We All Look the Same in the Dark.

"To the person who is blind this theme will hold a meaning different than for someone who is sighted. For members of racial minorities there is another meaning," said Mayann Francis, executive director of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. "Because we look the same at night, yet different during the day, we need tools during the day to survive."

Ms. Francis said that one of her greatest hopes is to make Nova Scotia a centre of excellence in the field of human rights -- a place where dialogue, study and action on human rights sets the standard for such work worldwide.

International Human Rights Day is a time to reflect on the importance of human rights in this province and country and around the world. The day commemorates the United Nations proclamation and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission views the day as an opportunity to promote change and debate on human rights issues throughout the year.

"I want to see a constructive debate on human rights taking place in every school, place of worship, workplace, university and decision-making table within government in Nova Scotia," said Ms. Francis. "That debate should not invoke fear, but should inspire all of us to take action as citizens."

The commemorations included remarks from several dignitaries including Gordon Balser, Minister of Economic Development; Frank Mackintosh, Mayor of Digby; James Thurber, warden for the municipality; Nancy Whitaker, chair of the tri-county school board; Margaret States, co-ordinator of Race Relations and Cross- Cultural Understanding for the Southwest Regional School Board; and Benjamin Elms, principal of Digby Regional High School.

A panel on personal experiences in human rights discrimination featured Rev. Darlene Young of the Safe Harbour Metropolitan Community Church; Sherry Pictou, chief of Bear River First Nations; and Claredon Robicheau, chair of the Clare Organization for Rehabilitation of the Disabled. The panel was moderated by Daurene Lewis, principal of the Nova Scotia Community College, Halifax Campus.

Digby Regional High School students also put on skits and musical performances related to human rights issues.