Human Rights Commission
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 Opens a New Window. and the City fo 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. Opens a New Window. The current work plan includes four goals:
- Building Commission capacity
- Enhancing the Commission relationship and role within the City government
- Responding to human rights concerns and trends
- Working towards a human rights framework in Eugene
HRC members create work groups, designate liaisons, craft resolutions and statements, follow response protocols, and facilitate collaboration and partnerships to achieve specific, targeted outcomes.
Current Commissioners
Commissioners are appointed by City Council for a three-year term and are limited to serving no more than two terms consecutively. Commissioners may serve more than two terms if terms are not consecutive.
Position 1 Bonnie Souza (WeCU work group chair) Expires 6/30/21
Position 2 Ibrahim Coulibaly Expires 6/30/23
Position 3 Heather Sielicki Expires 6/30/23
Position 4 Ibrahim Hamide Expires 6/30/23
Position 5 Daniel Borson Expires 6/30/22
Position 6 Kirstin London Expires 6/30/22
Position 7 Amanda McCluskey (HRC Vice Chair) Expires 6/30/22
Position 8 Serena Markstrom (Homelessness & Poverty work group chair) Expires 6/30/21
Position 9 Joel Iboa (HRC Chair) Expires 6/30/22
Position 10 Rick Guerra Expires 6/30/21
Position 11 Councilor Emily Semple Appointed 1/17
Staf contact
Fabio Andrade
Human Rights & Equity Analyst
Phone: 541-682-5277
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 has four openings. 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.
Use this application form to apply before the March 1 deadline.
You may also join certain HRC work groups without a formal appointment to the commission. See contact information below.
Meeting Information
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) meets the third Tuesday of each month (except July and August) from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. All meetings are open to the public and are usually located at the Sloat Conference Room, 99 W 10th Ave., Atrium Building, Eugene-OR
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 HRNI’s weekly Community Bulletin!
MLK Award
Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20, 2020) the City of Eugene Human Rights Commission recognizes an individual for their contribution in the area of human rights and race relations. The award will be given out during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day march.
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
Bonnie Souza and Ken Neubeck, Co-chairs
Anti-Discrimination Work Group
Eugene Human Rights Commission
June 2017
The Eugene Human Rights Commission’s Anti-Discrimination Work Group hosted 10 focus groups in communities of color, Muslim and LGBTQ communities in Eugene.
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. 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.