UBP MP John Barritt said he was "shocked" gender discrimination was left out of legislation transferring race group CURE's functions to the Human Rights Commission.

The bill, presented by Culture Minister Neletha Butterfield on Friday, entitled "The Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (Transfer of Functions) Act" was seriously lacking said Mr. Barritt.

"We have dropped, for some reason, that this bill will include gender discrimination, have things gotten so good for women that this is no longer needed in such a bill?" asked Mr. Barritt.

He added: "I have always understood that discrimination under the basis of gender to be an offence under the Human Rights Act so I can't imagine what amendments you are talking about that will necessitate differing this for now because it seems to me that ought to be in there given what we face in this country today, and I hope what the Ministry is saying that this will be corrected and that it will be included as an objective of the CURE aspect on the Human Rights Commission when that human rights amendment comes before this House. I, for the life of me, don't understand why it is not here today."

Replying to Mr. Barritt's concerns, Ms Butterfield said she did not realise that gender discrimination had been dropped from the bill, but said that it will be included when the Human Rights Act is introduced to the House.

"I will take the advice and take it under consideration and give more information to the honourable member once I have some clarity on his concern," added Ms Butterfield.

In a phone conversation last evening Mr Barritt said he wondered how such a major oversight could have occurred.

"All that was said is that it would be looked into," he said. "But, it is already included in the Human Rights Commission so what amendments could they even make?"

When she introduced the bill, Ms Butterfield said: "For some time now, we have noted with concern that there has been and continues to be a lack of progress in eliminating racial discrimination in Bermuda."

Ms Butterfield said that after a detailed review of both CURE and the Human Rights Commission (HRC) it was found that their functions were very similar and that they could integrated to create one entity.

"These changes are seen as a first step towards providing Bermuda with a modern solution to address our historical inequities, as pledged by this Government in the November 2009 Speech from the Throne," she said.

Ms Butterfield pledged the HRC would be reviewed and restructured to create a 21st Century body that has responsibility for education and enforcement.

The bill was approved.