HRC breaks silence as CP law comes into effect

| 25/09/2020 | 64 Comments

(CNS): Local same-sex couples will finally be able to have their relationships legally recognised next week and gain access to similar rights afforded to married couples. The Civil Partnership Regulations have been gazetted and Deputy Governor Franz Manderson has confirmed that the civil service will be ready to take applications. Following that announcement, the Human Rights Commission finally broken its silence on the hate speech which has proliferated in response to the new law.

In its statement the constitutional commission, whose remit includes protecting all members of the community against discrimination and upholding their rights, explained that freedom of expression is guaranteed under section 11 of the Constitution, but that it is a qualified right. The HRC said it must be balanced against the rights and interests of others.

While the commission fell short of condemning what has clearly been hate speech against the LGBT+ community, as it described “escalated tensions” over the law, it noted that non-discrimination is a fundamental principle of human rights.

“It is imperative that both individually and collectively we remain mindful and conscious of our speech and our actions to ensure that hate and discrimination does not erode the social fabric of our democratic culture,” the HRC said.

The regulations were approved by the governor in partnership with the premier. With their publication and the implementation of the law, from Monday, 28 September, civil registrars and civil partnership officers can be appointed, and couples can apply to register their relationship and begin to set dates for their partnership ceremonies.

The regulations describe how to apply for a civil partnership licence and the criteria for the appointment of civil registrars, deputies to civil registrars and civil partnership officers, as well as the fees that will be charged by or on behalf of the registrars. Access to the Civil Partnership Register is also outlined.           

DG Manderson said the civil service had completed the work necessary to implement the law, and that forms and guidance for people seeking a civil partnerships and those who want to become officers who can formalise civil partnerships can be found on CIG’s General Registry website.

For all queries and to access the regulations, as well as apply for a civil partnership or to become an officer visit the General Registry website or email the specially dedicated email address: cpl2020@gov.ky

All procedures, including where to access the forms to apply for entering into civil partnerships, how to become officers and the fees to be paid, will be posted on the main doors of the General Registry Office, located on the ground floor of the Government Administration.

See the Civil Partnership Regulations and the HRC statement in the CNS Library.


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Comments (64)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Please do not let another person or Gov dictate to you how you should live your life or who you should love. They are not worthy! Live your truth, life is very short and this is not a dress rehearsal you don’t get a do over! One love!

  2. Anonymous says:

    Should the HRC not be the first to speak on this issue? Obviously no control and independence. Being controlled. What a waste of resources!

  3. Anonymous says:

    I woke up this morning. I checked, and I’m still not gay. I even stared at a picture of Brad Pitt in Fight Club to make sure.

    It seems equality may have been achieved in one area, that hasn’t affected me in any negative way at all.

    • Anonymous says:

      CNS we really need a ROTFLOL button! You have some real comedians who speak truth!

    • Anonymous says:

      8:35 Brilliant Comment. If Brad did not do it for you then you are 100% straight.

    • Anonymous says:

      I’ve always knew I was lesbian and longed for legislation like this. Maybe now I’ll come out of my shell to close ones. Many objected this legislation exactly because of this reason – lifting of oppression against homosexual Caymanians such as myself and my parter.

      • Anonymous says:

        I didn’t understand why this legislation would make you come out of your shell. Do you have someone you want to get married to that you’ve been waiting and longing for? I know lots of gay and bisexuals here and as far as I know they didn’t need legislation to come out of the closet. If you want to have the conversation with your family, you should and I hope it goes well. But legislation will not help with that journey, not until you want to officially cohabit with someone. In any event good luck and I wish you all the very best and long and happy life – sincerely.

        • Anonymous says:

          “Do you have someone you want to get married to that you’ve been waiting and longing for?”

          Do you even read? “myself and my partner”

          “not until you want to officially cohabit with someone”

          You answered your question. It was always an “unofficial” union until we got our equal legal rights.

  4. Anonymous says:

    The fact these stupid rainbow designs are in the news at least twice a week just pours petrol onto the flames of those who still live in the dark ages. Let’s move on now.

    • LOVE says:

      the fact that Love needs to be “legalised” in 2020 is stupid, just plain dumb. if two folx wan marry and commit to a Life-time of Love, WHO can deny that? who WOULD deny it? denying Queers to marry pours petrol on the flames of ignorance. let them (US) marry and let’s get on with Livin’…

    • Anonymous says:

      What is it about rainbows that you really dont like?! 🙂

  5. Cayman's Finest says:

    amen!!!! whoo hoo!

  6. Anonymous says:

    The article’s focus is on HRC that broke its silence only after the Law came into effect.

    Seems few if any were able to comprehend the article and its headline.

    Human Rights Commission must play an ACTIVE role in the promotion and protection of human rights.

    One of the Commission’ important functions is to investigate and conciliate complaints of discrimination and human rights breaches. This process can lead to broad community education about human rights. Individual complaints could have a broad reaching impact.

    Human rights breaches can be prevented from occurring, if laws are examined to make sure they comply with human rights before they are passed!

    • Anonymous says:

      But they are not. And they do not.

    • Anonymous says:

      I miss James Austin-Smith actively doing mainly volunteer work. The new guy is in with the gov so he doesn’t want to rock the boat.

      • Anonymous says:

        What’s that word that describes when someone has a conflict that prevents them from fulfilling their duty?

        • Anonymous says:

          Professional independence.

        • Anonymous says:

          The Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) was established under section 116 of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009 and comprises five members.

          The Commission is a wholly independent body that is not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority. All members of the Commission are volunteers who are appointed by the Governor, after consulting with the Premier and Leader of the Opposition.

          http://www.humanrightscommission.ky/commission-members

  7. Anonymous says:

    This whole issue has left the country broken and battered. There has been a complete and absolutely failure of diplomacy and leadership from all angles. Let’s hope that we can now put this to rest and shift our focus to economic recovery, food safety and caring for the needy within our society.

    • Anonymous says:

      Sounds like stuff Christians would care about…. alas….

      • Anonymous says:

        Well I cannot see Christians jumping for joy that force them to accept sin.

        • Anonymous says:

          What sin? Adultery? Gluttony? Lusting after thy neighbor? I‘m Confused of which sin they follow these days?

          • Anonymous says:

            Everyone knows that adultery, gluttony, lying, stealing, murder and lust are sins. It is in our DNA.

        • LOVE says:

          come now, darlin’…it’s 2020, it’s okay to not be ignorant anymore. #letLOVErule

        • Anonymous says:

          You are to be judged on your own not on behalf of others are you not? How are YOU forced to commit sin or accept sin because two people who love each other enter into a civil union? Believe whatever you want but worry about the plank in your eye!

      • Anonymous says:

        One would think but apparently not.

  8. A. Straight says:

    Here’s what it boils down to: Do whatever you want……. just don’t break the law. If that isn’t possible, go somewhere that has laws that you agree with. Problem solved. This works for both straights and gays.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Well done CIG. I have faith in the system again.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Why does born caymanians have to get a certificate to state that they are caymanian, when their birth certificate has all the details as to their parents, district and place of birth. Could that be addressed as a pirorrty? Sick of the bias ass government.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ridiculous loophole to be addressed.

    • Anonymous says:

      Because being born in Cayman, even to Caymanian parents, does not mean you are automatically Caymanian. Your parents also need to be living in Cayman and genuinely call Cayman home.

      Similarly, just because your parents were born here and/or have Cayman passports does not necessarily mean they are Caymanian.

      In addition, someone may have to check that your Caymanian daddy is in fact your daddy….

      Woe is me. Shame and scandal in the family.

      • Anonymous says:

        But being born to a naturalized or generational Caymanian does mean you are Caymanian. You just have to fill out paperwork.

        • Anonymous says:

          Not so. I suggest you read the law.

          • Anonymous says:

            Correct. Section 27 Inmigration (Transition) Law, 2018. Being born to a Caymanian parent is not enough. That Caymanian parent has to be settled in Cayman on the date of birth. If not, you are not Caymanian, and have to apply for status.

        • Anonymous says:

          yes. I am a naturalized Caymanian ( been here since the age of 3) I hold a British and Caymanian passport. I now have to apply for my two children (born in the Cayman Islands hold, both a British and Caymanian Passport) for their rights to be Caymanian.

      • Dorra says:

        Yea, amen to day!

        Dora
        Cayman gal

  11. Anonymous says:

    Cayman HRC is not just silent it is in a perpetual dormant state.

    UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner adopted Deliberation No. 11 that establishes a set of guidelines to prevent arbitrary deprivation of liberty during public health emergencies.

    The Cayman Islands involuntarily quarantines clearly contradict Deliberation No.11 for it is disproportionate to the threat, therefore unnecessary.

    Further, Deliberation No.11 specifically recommends Stares to “refrain from holding persons of 60 years and older, pregnant women and women that are breastfeeding, persons with underlying health conditions as well as persons with disabilities, in places of deprivation of liberty where the risk to their physical and mental integrity and life is heightened.”

    Yet, Cayman HRC continues its silence on CIG using COVID-19 as an excuse for unlawful deprivation of liberty.

  12. Anonymous says:

    When are CIG going to put a rainbow flag on the GAB? When that happens then I’ll truly believe there is no discrimination. I won’t hold my breath.

  13. BNP & CDE says:

    We’re a straight, Atheist Caymanian couple. We don’t prevent anyone from going to church, but we’d rather not have a pastor officiate our union. Nor do we want to spend $10,000 on a wedding to feed 100 people that we’ll see again probably once in the next 5 years.

    Kat and the church, please just accept defeat with dignity and move on. We’re straight and registering next week.

    Peace and love to you all.

    • Anonymous says:

      You did not need the CP law. Straight couples always had the option of using a a Civil Registrar (rather than a marriage officer). Has been part of our law for decades.

      • Anonymous says:

        I know, but people seem to forget this bill is for everyone – not granting “special rights” to “special people/homosexuals” as perpetuated.

    • Anonymous says:

      Congratulations.BNP and CDE and thank you for your enlightened and sensible post.
      Hopefully the Church and posturing politicians can move on in the same spirit to deal with the real problems in our society.

      • Anonymous says:

        The posturing politicians would if they could but they have no answers or solutions for anything. The only hope they have is manipulating constituents by stoking the gay issue! Pathetic that the best they can do is demonise and attempt to deny rights to a minority whilst pretending to be heroes to the majority!

    • Anonymous says:

      Awww! Happy Civil Union Day to you both!!! Totally agree as a straight atheist couple as well this is the preferred way.

      • Anonymous says:

        So Christian to downvote. Love the fact they think they have better morals

        • Anonymous says:

          Every single one of my family members who had a big christian wedding told me they wish they did what I did and skipped dropping a couple grand on one night that will be quickly forgotten.

          I cringe at the idea of spending hundreds just on flowers.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Wow, Cayman is one step closer to being a modern, civilized nation.

    One good thing for 2020

    Two big thumbs up!!

    • RightsNotWants says:

      UK was civilized when they committed all the crimes against humanity. Including the Irish Famine. Forcing this on Cayman is just another civilized act?

      UK is dragging Cayman down with it. Any blind can see the downward spiral.

      HRC knows there is freedom of speech, conscience and expression.

      • Dan says:

        No offense… but did you see what happened to Jamaica once they ditched their British roots…. it’s not good. Sadly, the government here is too inept to event attempt to ditch the Queen.

      • Anonymous says:

        Worst part is, you’re not wrong about the Irish famines, but comparing that to civil unions is such a misbegotten idea, you hurt the cause of making people see the history of so-called civilized nations and the real oppression and brutality they’ve inflicted on the world.

      • BeaumontZodecloun says:

        Any superpower has toys in their historical attic. There is no way around that. The same is true of nearly all of organised religion.

        What we must do as a people is devise and agree upon a system in which ALL people are equal before the law. We can personally choose to not associate with various demographics, as it suits us. We can also choose to think better of all those around us, and not be such whiney pains in the ass.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Can the governor and premier please explain why are immigration still refusing to recognize the rights of same sex spouses????

    • Anonymous says:

      If you have a problem why dont you write to the Governor, this is not the forum for your answers. Come on now don’t be crassy.

    • Anonymous says:

      I think it’s because the law comes into effect on the 28th. If they’re still refusing to recognize it by then, write to the governor, or file a lawsuit, cause they’ll be breaking the law! Good luck!

      • Anonymous says:

        Why do people have to put their neck on the block, and expend thousands of dollars, to have basic fundamental rights upheld when they are being openly and continually breached? Where is the good governance in that?

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