LYNN – It has been about four months since the city’s Human Rights Commission was formed and its chairman, Robert Tucker, said last week the commission is ready to get to work.”We’re just in infancy stages but we’re pretty much complete,” Tucker said. “Now we need to discuss outreach and how to get the word out.”Formation of the commission was a project Councilor at large Hong Net took on after he was elected to the City Council in 2011. Net said given the city’s diversity it makes sense for Lynn to have a commission for residents to air human rights concerns.The commission’s goal, according to Net, is to inform, direct, mediate and educate the public.Board members include Tucker, Vice Chairman Laura McGaughey-Marquez, Jordan T. Avery, Jeff Crosby, Pamela Freeman, Audrey Jimenez, Jake Keo, Jeanne E. McAuley, Thomas Sheehan, Mary Trahan, Jesse J. Warren, Jr. and Attorney Vincent Phelan. Theresa Young, who is also clerk to the City Council, will serve as clerk to the commission that will meet on the third Tuesday of each month in City Hall Room 302.Tucker said the commission’s website explains much of what it aims to accomplish. Its charge includes investigating complaints of unlawful treatment, harassment or discrimination, providing information about civil rights and promoting public awareness of human rights issues. It is also charged with working with city departments to increase compliance of local, state and federal laws and community agencies that represent various ethnic groups in advocating for human rights.The main focus now however is figuring out how best to convey the board’s mission to the public.Human Rights Commission tasks
Investigate complaints of unlawful treatment, harassment or discrimination.
Provide information to the public about civil rights.
Promote public awareness of human rights issues through educational resources.
Work with other municipal departments to increase compliance of local, state and federal laws.
Discuss human rights problems with the mayor and Lynn City Council; make recommendations to protect Lynn residents’ rights.
Work with city departments and boards to raise awareness and sensitivity to human rights issues.
Work with community agencies representing various ethnic groups in advocating human rights.
Facts courtesy of Human Rights Commission
“We’re in the process of developing a brochure or a pamphlet,” Tucker said. “We’ll make it available at City Hall, the library, local businesses and other places.”Any complaints filed with the commission must be notarized, Tucker said. The concerns will then be reviewed by a subcommittee and if necessary the full commission will hear the matter and try and mediate or reach a resolution.”If that doesn’t work then we let them know what other resources are out there,” he said. “There are agencies that have more power, like the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.”Tucker said he anticipates seeing some traffic come through the commission and expects housing issues may top the complaint list.”It’s time, I think it’s something the city has needed,” he said. “It serves a purpose ? Now if someone calls the Mayor’s office or the City Council or Housing (Authority) to say they feel they’re being discriminated against, there is an actual commission they can divert it too.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].