This thread will feature the questions and comments that are sent to Rights Now by Yukon Youth

5. May. 2008.

This is a comment that we received from one person, in response to our promotion of the online youth survey draw prize for the iPod Nano:

Hi. Just to let you know, iPods are made in China, which has an atrocious human rights record, so you really shouldn't be giving one away as the prize for a contest promoting human rights. Just seems like a bad idea. Thanks.

Lillian Responds:

This was not something that we had considered when the youth who are assisting with this project suggested the prize. We were thinking of a prize that would motivate youth to look at our site and fill in the survey on human rights. Some components of the iPod may be made in China as well as other parts of the world.

So what do you guys think?

How do we find out about products produced in countries with poor human rights records?

Is boycotting a product a useful way to pressure countries to pay attention to human rights?

What would be an attractive prize for youth, that is ethical, environmentally friendly and supports human rights?

Please send us your comments.

February 20th, 2008

Sara asked us:

What if someone is hassling me at a party, calling me names or making rude comments about my cultural background…does that count as discrimination?

Lillian Responded:

Hi Sara,
It may be harassment…but it may or may not be discrimination according to the Yukon Human Rights Act.

If the person is someone that you work with, and if the harassment continues at work, or started at work then it may be discrimination that is covered under the Human Rights Act. It could be discrimination IF it is connected to one of the personal characteristics protected under the Human Rights Act such as your sex, ethnic background, disability, religion, ancestry and other areas mentioned in the Act.

So it all depends on where it happens, when (within the last 6 months) and whether you can connect it to one of the personal characteristics protected under the Human Rights Act.

Hope that helps. If you have any further questions, call YHRC at 667-6226 or 1-800-661-0535

Lillian Nakamura Maguire, Yukon Human Rights Commission

15. April. 2008

Youth 1 asked us:

Is it a violation of my rights when my mom reads my diary?

Lillian responded:

Hi there,
Although it may be an invasion of your personal privacy, it is not a violation of your human rights. Is there a way that you can talk to your Mom and ask her not to read your diary. It might be a way to open up a conversation about your need for privacy and personal space. She may be worried about you for some reason.

Human rights in Yukon protect you from discrimination based on personal characteristics such as age, disability, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, ethnicity, etc. Your human rights are protected at school, workplace, when getting services from businesses, government or community organizations, or when renting/living in an apartment. They don’t apply in personal relationships, such as things that happen at home.

Good luck with talking to your Mom…if that doesn’t work, maybe find a better hiding place.

Take care,
Lillian
Yukon Human Rights Commission