Powers and duties of the Commission

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  • The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
    • (a) Enforce the provisions of this title;

    • (b) Investigate allegations in writing under oath or affirmation that citizens of the United States, otherwise qualified to vote, are being deprived of their right to vote and have that vote counted by reason of their color, race, religion, national origin, sex and/or political affiliation; which writing under oath or affirmation, shall set forth the facts upon which such beliefs are based;

    • (c) Investigate allegations in writing, under oath, or affirmation, on the complaint of any person constituting the denials of equal protection or of the laws because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex and/or political affiliation including but not limited to the fields of education, housing, real estate, employment, the uses of public facilities and transportation, the service by public utilities, or in the administration of justice;

    • (d) Study and collect information concerning legal developments constituting a denial of equal protection of the laws of the United States Virgin Islands because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex and/or political affiliation, or in the administration of justice;

    • (e) Appraise the laws and policies of the United States Virgin Islands with respect to denials of equal protection of the laws of race, color, religion, national origin, sex and/or political affiliation, or in the administration of justice;

    • (f) Establish and maintain a central repository and develop a procedure to monitor, record, classify and analyze information relating to crimes committed under Title 14 of this code and other incidents directed against persons or groups based upon their race, religion, color, national origin, sex, ethnicity, handicap or political affiliation. The Commission shall summarize and analyze the information received and file an annual report with the Governor and the Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands and shall make it available to the Virgin Islands Police Department to the extent that such information is reasonably necessary or useful in carrying out its duties.

    • (g) Hold fact-finding hearings, conduct major investigations and research projects, and sponsor conferences to gather and disseminate information relating to human rights, and human rights problems;

    • (h) The Commission shall have the power to impose sanctions or to provide specific remedies in individual cases.


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