Human Rights Commission

Human Rights Commission meeting on Feb 18 2020

The mission of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) is to promote the implementation of universal human rights values and principles in all City of Eugene programs and throughout the community.


To carry out this mission the HRC shall affirm, encourage and initiate programs and services within the City of Eugene and in the community designed to place priority upon protecting, respecting, and fulfilling the full range of universal human rights as enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the City of Eugene Human Rights Code. 


The HRC focuses on its City Council-approved work plan, community matters, and working within City government and acts according to its bylaws. The current work plan includes three goals:

  • Take a leadership role in fostering respect for social equity, civil rights, and human rights in the community by engaging in education, outreach, listening and collaboration.
  • Maintain strategic HRC liaisons and engage in cooperative endeavors with the community and with City of Eugene advisory groups that support civil and human rights and social equity.
  • Study and recommend actions on civil and human rights and social equity issues in areas of concern to the community and City organization.

HRC members create work groups, designate liaisons, craft resolutions and statements, follow response protocols, and facilitate collaboration and partnerships to achieve specific, targeted outcomes. 


View or download the current HRC work plan (in PDF format)


Current Commissioners

You can find the current list of commissioners as well as the staff contact for the HRC here.

Join the Human Rights Commission

Want to make a difference in the community? Eugene’s boards and commissions are resident advisory groups that provide an invaluable service to our city by advising City Council and/or City staff on a wide variety of subjects. The City of Eugene’s Human Rights Commission will have three openings in June 2023. The mission of the Human Rights Commission is to promote the implementation of universal human rights values and principles in all City of Eugene programs and throughout the community.


You can use this application form to apply once the application period opens.


You may also join certain HRC work groups without a formal appointment to the commission. Please contact humanrights@eugene-or.gov for more information.

Meeting Information


The Human Rights Commission (HRC) meets the third Tuesday of each month (except July, August and December) from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. All meetings are open to the public and are currently hosted virtually.


At each full business meeting, the Commission provides a public forum, where issues can be announced or concerns brought forward from the community for broader attention or possible organized response. Every person can provide public comments for up to 3 minutes at the beginning of each meeting without previous arrangement. Finally, the Commission participates in, endorses and financially sponsors community events that are aligned with its mission.



Agendas and Minutes

Click here to view all available meeting agendas and minutes. The Agenda Center will open in a new browser tab. Click on a year at the top right menu to view the agenda packets and minutes for that year that are available for download.


Stay Connected with the Human Rights Commission

Once you access the Agenda Center, click on Stay Connected to sign up to receive updates once new agendas and meeting packets for the Human Rights Commission are posted.


You can also sign up to receive OECE’s weekly Community Bulletin!

HRC Award

Each year the City of Eugene Human Rights Commission recognizes an individual for their contribution in the area of human rights and social justice. The HRC is currently accepting nominations for 2022! Click here to submit a nomination.  You can  click here to see past award recipients


Marginalized Voices in Eugene:

Report on Focus Groups in Eugene’s Communities of Color, Muslim and LGBTQ Communities

The purpose of the focus groups was to learn about marginalized individuals’ experiences at this moment in time and to explore how the City of Eugene might help members of these communities feel safe, welcome and included in Eugene. Previous Commissioners Bonnie Souza and Ken Neubeck co-chaired the work group, planned and hosted all of the focus groups (with help from community members) and co-authored Marginalized Voices in Eugene, which includes important recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.