The Human Rights Commission works to eliminate discrimination and bigotry, to strengthen inter-group relationships, and to foster greater understanding, inclusion and justice for those who live, work, study, worship, travel and play in the City of Portland. In doing so, the Commission is guided by the principles embodied in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

***NOTICE***

Equity director Dr. Markisha Smith and Commissioner Amanda Fritz have placed the Portland Human Rights Commission on indefinite hiatus. They made the strategic decision as The Office of Equity and Human Rights faces a critically limited budget as well as a need for shifting staff resources to provide more equity-focused efforts in the City’s response to COVID-19 and beyond.

The Office of Equity and Human Rights will continue to engage community members around human rights issues and provide direction for bringing concerns to City Council.

Looking forward, the Office of Equity will gather feedback from current and past Human Rights Commissioners to craft the next version of the advisory body.

“We are indebted to the Human Rights Commission for shedding light on and recommending strategies to combat human rights injustices in Portland over the years,” said Commissioner Fritz. “I appreciate their dedication, passion, and willingness to serve their community.”

The Human Rights Commission is an all-volunteer advisory body comprised of Human Rights Commissioners appointed by City Council. The Human Rights Commission (HRC) advises City Council and City bureaus on applying a human rights lens to policy, and advises on promoting and protecting human rights in the City of Portland. The HRC prioritizes listening to community concerns during the public comment portion of their monthly meetings and through their engagement with community groups. In this way, the HRC can use its purview to advise on human rights issues that impact Portland’s community members.

For more information, please contact hrc@portlandoregon.gov

All meetings are open to the public. If you have questions or comments for the Human Rights Commission, 15 minutes of the agenda are reserved for public comment. To comment, please sign-up at the meeting and share your thoughts with us. 

In compliance with Civil Rights laws, it is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any City program, service, or activity on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or disability. To help ensure equal access to City programs, services, and activities, the City of Portland reasonably provides: translation and interpretation services, modifications, accommodations, auxiliary aides and services, and alternative format.  For these services, complaints, and additional information, contact 503-823-4433, use City TTY 503-823-6868, or use Oregon Relay Service: 711.

 Traducción e Interpretación  |  Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch  |  अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या

 口笔译服务  |  Устный и письменный перевод  |  Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad

 Письмовий і усний переклад  |  Traducere și interpretariat  |   Chiaku me Awewen Kapas

 Translation and Interpretation:  503-823-4433

 Human Rights Commissioners

Daniel Franco-Núñez

Rhodes Perry 

Brandie Dieterle DelaHoz

Jamila Dozier

Michele Wilson 

Côi Vũ

Sonia Marie Leikam

Chris Wallace Caldwell  

Human Rights Commissioners are appointed by the Portland City Council and are volunteers who work without compensation. They can be contacted through the Office of Equity and Human Rights at 503.823.4433 or email.