EOC: Let us know if you have faced discrimination

The Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) is calling on people to lodge a complaint with the organisation if they have been discriminated against based on their race or ethnicity, including on social media.

On Sunday, The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the EOC revealed only 30 complaints based on race and ethnicity were lodged in 2020. The 2021 theme is Youth Standing Up Against Racism.

In a release, the EOC said it noticed a escalation of racial intolerance on social media, as well as reports in the media where people claim to have been discriminated against based on their race or ethnicity but they do not lodge a complaint at the EOC.

It added that the Equal Opportunity Act also covered offensive behaviour.

“This applies to all acts done in public inclusive of social media that is intended to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of persons because of their gender, race, ethnicity, origin or religion.”

Chairman of the EOC, Ian Roach said, “Lodging a complaint and having the matter conciliated can ultimately address and influence the bedrock of racism in our society. It can be a major deterrent for those who discriminate against someone based on their race. It requires deliberate and consistent steps by all of society to rid us of this disease. The EOC is a critical part of the process and we are mindful of its duty to provide redress in appropriate cases of racial discrimination for victims accordingly.”

Addressing the noticeable increase in offensive behaviour and racist remarks on social media, Roach said people needed to avoid such when sharing their opinions and instead speak positively about one another because a person was on the other end of the message.

He called on young people in particular to adopt and promote a culture of unity and inclusivity.

“Unity helps bring the stability and peace necessary for achieving greater economic and social progress and development. Young people must raise their voices to advocate for a world free of all forms of racial inequality, be it institutional, social, or otherwise. They play a critical role in dismantling systemic racism.”