Constitution of the Republic of Namibia 1990, as amended to 2014
National Human Rights Bodies
  • English
    ...
    (2) Aggrieved persons who claim that a fundamental right or freedom guaranteed by this Constitution has been infringed or threatened shall be entitled to approach a competent Court to enforce or protect such a right or freedom, and may approach the Ombudsman to provide them with such legal assistance or advice as they require, and the Ombudsman shall have the discretion in response thereto to provide such legal or other assistance as he or she may consider expedient.
    ... (Art. 25)
National Human Rights Bodies
  • English
    (1) There shall be an Ombudsman, who shall have the powers and functions set out in this Constitution.
    (2) The Ombudsman shall be independent and subject only to this Constitution and the law.
    (3) No member of the Cabinet or the Legislature or any other person shall interfere with the Ombudsman in the exercise of his or her functions and all organs of the State shall accord such assistance as may be needed for the protection of the independence, dignity and effectiveness of the Ombudsman.
    ... (Art. 89)
National Human Rights Bodies
  • English
    (1) The Ombudsman shall be appointed by Proclamation by the President on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
    … (Art. 90)
National Human Rights Bodies
  • English
    The functions of the Ombudsman shall be defined and prescribed by an Act of Parliament and shall include the following:
    (a) the duty to investigate complaints concerning alleged or apparent instances of violations of fundamental rights and freedoms, abuse of power, unfair, harsh, insensitive or discourteous treatment of an inhabitant of Namibia by an official in the employ of any organ of Government (whether central or local), manifest injustice, or conduct by such official which would properly be regarded as unlawful, oppressive or unfair in a democratic society;
    (b) the duty to investigate complaints concerning the functioning of the Public Service Commission, administrative organs of the State, the defence force, the police force and the correctional service in so far as such complaints relate to the failure to achieve a balanced structuring of such services or equal access by all to the recruitment of such services or fair administration in relation to such services;

    (d) the duty to investigate complaints concerning practices and actions by persons, enterprises and other private institutions where such complaints allege that violations of fundamental rights and freedoms under this Constitution have taken place;
    (e) the duty and power to take appropriate action to call for the remedying, correction and reversal of instances specified in the preceding Sub-Articles through such means as are fair, proper and effective, including:
    (aa) negotiation and compromise between the parties concerned;
    (bb) causing the complaint and his or her finding thereon to be reported to the superior of an offending person;
    (cc) referring the matter to the Prosecutor-General;
    (dd) bringing proceedings in a competent Court for an interdict or some other suitable remedy to secure the termination of the offending action or conduct, or the abandonment or alteration of the offending procedures;
    (ee) bringing proceedings to interdict the enforcement of such legislation or regulation by challenging its validity if the offending action or conduct is sought to be justified by subordinate legislation or regulation which is grossly unreasonable or otherwise ultra vires;
    (ff) reviewing such laws as were in operation before the date of Independence in order to ascertain whether they violate the letter or the spirit of this Constitution and to make consequential recommendations to the President, the Cabinet or the Attorney-General for appropriate action following thereupon;
    … (Art. 91)
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Constitution of the Republic of Namibia 1990, as amended to 2014 (English). According to Art. 3(1): "The official language of Namibia shall be English.”

Links to all sites last visited 28 February 2024
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Chapter 3 on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.
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Chapter 3 on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.
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Chapter 3 on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.
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Chapter 3 on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.
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Chapter 3 on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.
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Art. 26 on State of Emergency, State of National Defence and Martial Law.
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Chapter 3 on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.