The Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) hosted an internal sensitisation session today, Tuesday 11 June 2025, at its headquarters on Manic Street, Chaguanas. The session, facilitated by members of the Legal Unit, was aimed at deepening staff understanding of the Commission’s legal framework, core responsibilities, and ongoing work in promoting equality and preventing discrimination.

The Equal Opportunity Commission (the ‘Commission’) joins with the national community in extending condolences to the family and friends of deceased former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday and in commemorating his legacy of national service. The Commission was created by the Equal Opportunity Act of 2000 (the ‘Act’) which was a piece of legislation passed during former Prime Minister Panday’s premiership from 1995 to 2001.

It is a saying that we have heard many times over and one which continues to ring true: Children are the future of our nation. Indeed, they are. It is for this reason that they must be involved in nation building, if we are to ensure that they have a bright future ahead of them.

To read more visit : https://newsday.co.tt/2023/08/14/young-people-also-have-rights/

Generally, a complaint of discrimination must fall within the four broad categories covered by the Equal Opportunity Act: these are education, employment, provision of goods and services, and
provision of accommodation. However, a complaint based on “offensive behaviour” does not have to fall within those categories.

To read more visit :  https://newsday.co.tt/2023/07/31/offensive-behaviour-is-unlawful/

This was highlighted recently when the EOC presented on the first day of a three-day mediation conference hosted by the Ministry of Sport and Community Development’s Community Mediation Division on July 12. The main theme of this conference was “Building Collaboration in Conflict Resolution – A Transformative Approach to Mediation.”

To read more visit : https://newsday.co.tt/2023/07/17/resolving-disputes-by-conciliation/

TO BE informed is to be empowered. The EOC provides a framework for larger conversations on equality and the first step in doing so is ensuring that the public is aware of the law.

 To read more visit : https://newsday.co.tt/2023/07/03/eoc-empowers-the-public/ 

The Equal Opportunity Commission’s (EOC) Nationwide Outreach Caravan stopped at the Tunapuna Administrative Complex, Tunapuna on Friday 7th July, 2023. The EOC team set up its signature blue tent and engaged members of the public with fun trivia games to win prizes, shared legal advice on discrimination and generally raised awareness on the free services offered by the EOC, and the rights of citizens that are protected by the Equal Opportunity Act.

The Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) appeared before the Joint Select Committee on Finance and Legal Affairs to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the institution.

In part three of the series, we continue the discussion on the Equal Opportunity Commission’s (EOC) strategic vision of becoming the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) of TT. Today we examine the different models that exist in countries that address human rights holistically, as well as look at the suitability of a particular model for the TT context.

To read more:  https://newsday.co.tt/2023/05/15/nhris-different-models-around-the-world/

In accordance with Sections 7, 8, and 9 of the Freedom of Information Act Chapter 22:02 (‘FOIA’), the Equal Opportunity Commission (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Commission’), being a Public Authority, is required by law to publish the following statements, which list the documents and information generally available to the public.

The EOC is the leading state advocate on eliminating discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity in Trinidad and Tobago.

Hundreds of patrons visited the Equal Opportunity Commission’s (EOC/Commission) nationwide caravan activation in Marabella. The outreach initiative, which was held at Massy Stores on Friday 5th May, 2023 is part of the EOC’s efforts to raise awareness of the categories covered and status grounds protected by the Equal Opportunity Act (the Act) and the services offered by the EOC.

This is the second column discussing the Equal Opportunity Commission’s (EOC) strategic vision of becoming the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) of TT. On April 17, we spoke about what are NHRIs. Today we will explain how NHRIs are recognised in the United Nations (UN) system. Contrary to other national institutions, NHRIs are accredited with an internationally accepted quality label, based on their compliance with the UN’s Paris Principles.

To read more visit: https://newsday.co.tt/2023/nhri-part-ii-the-paris-principles-and-the-eoc/

The Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) has set as one of its strategic objectives, to promote the transformation of the EOC to become the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) of TT. This is the first of four columns on this topic. Today, we ask the question: Why a NHRI for TT?

To read more visit:  https://newsday.co.tt/towards-a-national-human-rights-institution/