Law Society of YukonVaccine-mandates and Human Rights
Description: The Yukon Government (YG) announced a vaccine-mandate, which came into effect on November 30, 2021.
There have been many questions from employers, employees, service providers, unions and others relative to the application of human rights legislation to the mandate. Additionally, many private sector employers are considering proof of vaccination policies in the workplace.
The Yukon Human Rights Commission (YHRC) will speak to some of the issues and questions in relation to the YG vaccine-mandate, proof of vaccination policies and the Yukon Human Rights Act (the Act), including:
- Can an individual be exempted from the vaccine-mandate based on the Act?
- What protected characteristics can ground a potential human rights complaint?
- How does the duty to accommodate apply relative to vaccine mandates?
Presenter: Birju Dattani
Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Birju has extensive academic and practical experience in the field of human rights. He was awarded an LL.B. (with Honours) by the University of Wales in Aberstwyth, a Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Legal Skills by the City University of London and an LL.M. in Public International Law by the London School of Economics and Political Science. In addition, Birju has spent time studying at the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, Cambridge University and the School of Oriental and African Studies. Birju’s previous professional experience include serving as Assistant Regional Director with Alberta Human Rights Commission and Teaching Fellow in the faculty of law at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. The son of refugees from Uganda, Birju has a life-long commitment to advancing the cause of human rights and is pleased to have the opportunity to support the Commission in doing so.
Presenter: Amna Bhatti
Amna Bhatti is working as a Human Rights Officer at the Yukon Human Rights Commission. Amna moved to Canada in 2016 after finishing her BA-LL.B. (with Honours) from Lahore University of Management Sciences in Pakistan. She completed her LL.M. at Osgoode Hall Law School while interning with the Ministry of Attorney General. After getting licensed as a lawyer in Ontario, Amna completed a Legal Advisor placement at Lawyers for Human Rights in South Africa. In that position Amna undertook large-scale research projects for the Gender Equality Programme, one of which examined the unique vulnerabilities of female migrants in South Africa, and was published in a peer-reviewed report.