Human rights education could become a cornerstone of the school curriculum if a programme now being considered takes root.

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) and the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE) are discussing the initiative, labelling it a long-term goal that would assist in their respective mandates.

"We firmly believe that teaching children the principles of non-discrimination and human dignity is an essential step in reducing or eliminating discrimination in society," said HRC chairman Venous Memari. "We are, after all, educating potential perpetrators and victims of discrimination.

"In the long term, we would like to see human rights education firmly entrenched in the schools curriculum. Executive officer (Ayo Johnson) is engaged with his counterpart in CURE in developing a strategy for equality and human rights in education."

In the interim, the organisation is to introduce a series of workshops and presentations in schools as a means of getting its message across.

"The HRC is developing, in the short term, a programme which it hopes to take to schools on the island," Ms Memari continued. "When fully developed, members of the HRC and technical officers, plan to conduct presentations and (offer) workshops to students at all levels. The overall aim is to inculcate an awareness of difference and the principle that we are all equal in dignity regardless of our differences."

The HRC was established shortly after the Human Rights Act was passed by Parliament, in 1981. It provides options not available through the island's court system, to residents involved in human rights disputes.

"The HRC is mandated to investigate alleged contraventions of the Human Rights Act, as well as to promote principles of equality and non-discrimination," Ms Memari explained.

"It is required to attempt to settle human rights disputes through conciliation and its overall purpose is to work toward the elimination of discrimination in society. The courts serve a somewhat different purpose and in most instances operate (in an) adversarial (manner).

"When someone brings a complaint to the HRC, our aim is not to punish the respondent or even to find guilt. This is not to say that the courts do not provide a valuable service to society, but to emphasise that our aim is conciliatory, to bring the parties together. Our investigation and conciliation services are free, confidential and impartial."

The chairman stressed that neutrality is a key part of the process and vital to securing public confidence in the HRC.

"Our investigations are conducted impartially and confidentially by public servants," she stated. "The HRC makes critical decisions on the case ¿ such as dismissal and referral to the Minister, and even whether a complaint should be investigated. The HRC considers all the representations that are made by parties and witnesses before making a determination about the merits of the case.

"The HRC cannot guarantee that information gathered during an investigation will be kept out of the public arena. However, the HRC and its officers are required by section 30 of the Human Rights Act to treat its investigations confidentially. This HRC takes a much broader interpretation than what is stipulated in the Act ¿ that confidentiality is perpetual, not just during an investigation. Complainants and respondents are not, however, under the same stipulation."