The government has repeatedly acknowledged the existence of anti-Black racism in its institutions

BY PAUL JUNOR

Amnesty International is recognized all over the world for its advocacy and activist work on behalf of those who do not have a voice to fight for social, equity, and political justice.

On Wednesday, March 3^rd, 2022, it issued a press release in which it expressed support for the Black Class Action (BCA) lawsuit. According to its website: amnestyinterntion.ca, it is, “A movement of over 7 million people that are protecting and promoting human rights in 150 countries around the world. They’ve made an incredible global impact through their work advocating against human rights abuses, influencing legislation and policy, and working to improve justice through impartial and investigations and fair trials.”

The press release revealed that it has, “Publicly declared its support for the BCA in pressing the government to implement long-term changes that address anti-Black racism and discrimination in the federal public service.” It highlights that it is fully supportive of:

• Creating a fund to compensate Black employees for the psychological and emotional harms experienced as a result of workplace discrimination
• Establishing a Black Equity Commission to investigate systemic barriers and create a forward-looking framework for Black employees to be heard
• Designating a specific category for Black employees under the Employment Equity Act
• Creating access to culturally sensitive, trauma-informed counselling and mental health supports for current and former Black employees

It is less than two years now since the Black Class Action was launched in December 2020. Approximately 1,300 former and current federal sector employees fight for the right to have their stories, experiences, and lived realities validated through the courts.

Ketty Nivyabandi (Secretary-General, Amnesty International Canada) states in the press release, “For too long, Black employees have faced dehumanizing experiences of racist exclusion at the hands of the government. Amnesty International supports the work led by the Black Class Action to bring justice to Black federal employees in Canada and prevent further harm from taking place.”

The press release notes that Black employees faced an uphill battle in their fight for their, “Rights under Canadian law and international human law, including the right to be free from discrimination and the right to have equal promotion opportunities based only on seniority and competence.”

Nicholas Marcus Thompson, speaking on behalf of the BCA states, “We are grateful for the support of Amnesty International as together we call on the Government of Canada to take real action against anti-Black discrimination within its workforce. The government has repeatedly acknowledged the existence of anti-Black racism in its institutions but has failed to take real action in response. Black public service workers deserve better and expect no less.”