Dutchess County is committed to ensuring our community is inclusive and respectful for all, with the human rights of every individual protected and championed.
The mission of the Commission on Human Rights Commission is defending human rights, bridging differences and embracing diversity.
If you believe you have a human rights issue, please contact us so that we can discuss the situation with you and help you decide the best course of action. This may include, but is not limited to, filing a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR) White Plains office.
If you have experienced a hate or bias incident, you can confidentially report it to the Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights by: emailing us at dchumanrights@dutchessny.gov or calling 845-486-2836. If this is an emergency, contact 911.
If you think that the incident may be a hate crime you may also contact local law enforcement, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office 845-486-3800 and/or the NYS Hate Crimes Hotline 1-888-392-3644.
Violence inspired by hatred is evil. The Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights is horrified and outraged by the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, CO. That this senseless act of violence was carried out on the eve of Transgender Remembrance Day, a day to grieve lives lost to violence based on hatred, is all the more heartbreaking. Rhetoric which demonizes others has consequences and we unequivocally denounce all language and actions that seek to dehumanize and invalidate others. We mourn for the victims, their families and friends. The Commission will always stand with and support the LGBTQIA+ community.
If you or anyone you know is seeking resources to process this tragedy, please see the following resources that can help:
Dutchess County Helpline (Call or Text 24/7): 845-485-9700
The Trevor Project:
(Call 24/7) 1-866-488-7386
(Text 24/7) Text ‘START’ to 678-678
Links to organizations and news articles
We are one people and one New York. We will not tolerate hate crimes.
To learn more about protections under NYS Human Rights Law, as well as filing a complaint, go to the NYS Division of Human Rights where you will find brochures, videos, complaint forms and other important information.
Eleanor Roosevelt became the first chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission and led a two year process that resulted in the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 1948. Each year on December 10, we commemorate International Human Rights Day and the adoption of the UDHR.
Since then, a central goal of U.S. foreign policy has been the promotion of respect for human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United States understands that the existence of human rights helps secure the peace, deter aggression, promote the rule of law, combat crime and corruption, strengthen democracies, and prevent humanitarian crises.
