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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Ombudsman is an independent authority created within the sphere of the National Congress operating with full autonomy and without receiving instructions from any other authority. The mission of the Ombudsman is the defense and protection of human rights and other rights, guarantees and interests sheltered under this Constitution and the laws, in the face of deeds, acts or omissions of the Administration; as well as the control of public administrative functions.
The Ombudsman has capacity to be a party in a lawsuit. He is appointed and removed by Congress with the vote of two-thirds of the members present of each House.
… (Sec. 86) - SpanishEl Defensor del Pueblo es un órgano independiente instituido en el ámbito del Congreso de la Nación, que actuará con plena autonomía funcional, sin recibir instrucciones de ninguna autoridad. Su misión es la defensa y protección de los derechos humanos y demás derechos, garantías e intereses tutelados en esta Constitución y las leyes, ante hechos, actos u omisiones de la Administración; y el control del ejercicio de las funciones administrativas públicas.
El Defensor del Pueblo tiene legitimación procesal. Es designado y removido por el Congreso con el voto de las dos terceras partes de miembros presentes de cada una de las Cámaras.
… (Art. 86)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Commission on Human Rights shall have the following powers and functions:
(1) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights;
(2) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure, and cite for contempt for violations thereof in accordance with the Rules of Court;
(3) Provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing abroad, and provide for preventive measures and legal aid services to the underprivileged whose human rights have been violated or need protection;
(4) Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities;
(5) Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights;
(6) Recommend to the Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to provide for compensation to victims of violations of human rights, or their families;
(7) Monitor the Philippine Government’s compliance with international treaty obligations on human rights;
(8) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority;
(9) Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the performance of its functions;
(10) Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and
(11) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law. (Art. XIII, Sec. 18) - FilipinoDapat magkaroon ang Komisyon sa mga Karapatang Pantao ng mga sumusunod na mga kapangyarihan at mga gawain:
(1) Magsiyasat, sa kusa nito o sa sumbong ng alin mang panig, ng lahat ng uri ng mga paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao na kinapapalooban ng mga karapatang sibil at pulitikal;
(2) Maglagda ng mga panuntunan sa pamalakad, at mga tuntunin ng pamamaraan nito, at magharap ng sakdal na paglapastangan ukol sa mga paglabag dito nang naaalinsunod sa mga Tuntunin ng Hukuman;
(3) Magtakda ng angkop na mga hakbangin na naaayon sa batas para sa pangangalaga ng mga karapatang pantao ng lahat ng mga tao sa Pilipinas, at gayon din ng mga Pilipinong naninirahan sa ibang bansa, at magtakda ng mga panagkang hakbangin, at mga paglilingkod na tulong legal sa mga kulangpalad na ang mga karapatang pantao ay nilabag o nangangailangan ng proteksyon;
(4) Tumupad ng mga kapangyarihan sa pagdalaw sa mga piitan, mga bilangguan, o mga pasilidad sa detensyon;
(5) Magtatag ng patuluyang programa sa pananaliksik, edukasyon at impormasyon upang mapatingkad ang paggalang sa pagkapangunahin ng mga karapatang pantao;
(6) Magrekomenda sa Kongreso ng mabisang mga hakbangin upang maitaguyod ang mga karapatang pantao at maglaan para sa mga bayad-pinsala sa mga biktima, o sa kanilang mga pamilya, ng mga paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao;
(7) Subaybayan ang pagtalima ng Pamahalaan ng Pilipinas sa mga pananagutan sa pandaigdig na kasunduang-bansa hinggil sa mga karapatang pantao;
(8) Magkaloob ng immunity sa pag-uusig sa sino mang tao na ang testimonyo o ang pag-iingat ng mga dokumento o iba pang ebidensya ay kinakailangan o makaluluwag sa pagtiyak ng katotohanan sa alin mang pagsisiyasat sa isinagawa nito o sa ilalim ng awtoridad nito;
(9) Hilingin ang tulong ng alin mang kagawaran, kawanihan, tanggapan o sangay sa pagtupad ng mga gawain nito;
(10) Humirang ng mga pinuno at kawani nito nang naaayon sa batas; at
(11) Tumupad ng iba pang mga tungkulin at mga gawain na maaaring itakda ng batas. (Art. XIII, Seksyon 18)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English… the Procurator for the Defense of Human Rights will be elected by the Legislative Assembly by a qualified majority of the two-thirds part of the Deputies elected.
… (Art. 192) - Spanish… el Procurador para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos, serin elegidos por la Asamblea Legislativa, por mayoria calificada de los dos tercios de los Diputados electos.
… (Art. 192)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. There shall be a Banaba Island Council.
2. The powers and duties of the Banaba Island Council shall be prescribed by or under law. (Sec. 121)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English(1) There is established the Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission.
(2) The functions of the Commission are—
(a) to promote respect for human rights and develop a culture of human rights in the Republic;
(b) to promote gender equality and equity generally and to coordinate and facilitate gender mainstreaming in national development;
(c) to promote the protection, and observance of human rights in public and private institutions;
(d) to monitor, investigate and report on the observance of human rights in all spheres of life in the Republic, including observance by the national security organs;
(e) to receive and investigate complaints about alleged abuses of human rights and take steps to secure appropriate redress where human rights have been violated;
(f) on its own initiative or on the basis of complaints, to investigate or research a matter in respect of human rights, and make recommendations to improve the functioning of State organs;
(g) to act as the principal organ of the State in ensuring compliance with obligations under treaties and conventions relating to human rights;
…
(3) Every person has the right to complain to the Commission, alleging that a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights has been denied, violated or infringed, or is threatened.
(4) Parliament shall enact legislation to give full effect to this Part, and any such legislation may restructure the Commission into two or more separate commissions.
… (Art. 59) - Swahili(1) Kuna Tume ya Kitaifa ya Haki za Binadamu na Usawa ya Kenya.
(2) Kazi za Tume ni—
(a) kuimarisha heshima kwa haki za binadamu na kuendeleza utamaduni wa haki za binadamu katika Jamhuri;
(b) kuimarisha usawa wa kijinsia na haki kwa jumla na kuratibu na kuwezesha ujumuishaji wa masuala ya kijinsia katika maendeleo ya kitaifa;
(c) kuimarisha ulinzi, na uzingatiaji wa haki za binadamu katika taasisi za umma na binafsi;
(d) kufuatilia, kuchunguza na kutoa taarifa juu ya uzingatiaji wa haki za binadamu katika nyanja zote za maisha katika Jamhuri, ikiwa ni pamoja na vyombo vya usalama vya kitaifa kuzingatia;
(e) kupokea na kuchunguza malalamiko kuhusu tuhuma za ukiukaji wa haki za binadamu na kuchukua hatua za kutoa fidia stahiki pale ambapo haki za binadamu zimekiukwa;
(f) kwa jitihada zake yenyewe au kwa msingi wa malalamiko, kuchunguza au kutafiti jambo kuhusu haki za binadamu, na kutoa mapendekezo ya kuboresha utendaji kazi wa vyombo vya Serikali;
(g) kufanya kazi kama chombo kikuu cha Serikali katika kuhakikisha uzingatiaji wa majukumu chini ya makubaliano na mikataba inayohusiana na haki za binadamu;
…
(3) Kila mtu ana haki ya kulalamika mbele ya Tume, akidai kuwa haki au uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu imenyimwa, imekiukwa au kuvunjwa, au imetishiwa.
(4) Bunge litatunga sheria kuwezesha utekelezaji kamili wa Sehemu hii, na sheria yoyote ya namna hiyo inaweza kuiunda upya tume na kuwa tume tofauti mbili au zaidi.
… (Kifungu cha 59)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English
(1) Subject to this Schedule, the Ombudsman may
(a) investigate an action taken by a public authority or the President, Vice-President, Minister, officer or member of the public authority, being action taken in the exercise of the administrative functions of the public authority in the circumstances specified in subparagraph (2);
(b) investigate an allegation of fraud or corruption in connection with the exercise by a person of a function of a public authority.
(c) assist an individual complainant in respect of legal proceedings in relation to a contravention of the provisions of the Charter9;
(d) with leave of the Court hearing proceedings relating to a contravention of the provisions of the Charter, become a party to the proceedings;
(e) initiate proceedings relating to the constitutionality of a law or of the provisions of a law.
(2)The Ombudsman shall investigate an action under sub-para-graph (1)(a)-
(a) where the Ombudsman receives a complaint from a person or body alleging that the complainant has suffered a violation of the complainant’s fundamental rights or freedoms under the Charter, or an injustice, in consequence of a fault in the administration of a public authority or has been treated harshly or oppressively by the authority or the President, Vice-President or a Minister, officer or member of the authority in the exercise of the administrative functions of the authority;
(b) where the President, Vice-President or a Minister or member of the National Assembly requests the Ombudsman to investigate the action on the ground that the person or body specified in the request-
(i) has or may have suffered a violation of the person’s or body’s fundamental rights for freedoms under the Charter, or an injustice, in consequence of a fault in the administration of a public authority or of a fault of the President or Vice-President or a Minister, officer or member of the authority in the exercise of the administrative functions of the authority;
(ii) has been treated harshly or oppressively by the authority or the President or Vice-President or a Minister, officer or member of the authority in the exercise of the administrative functions of the authority,/or on the ground that the practices or patterns of conduct of a public authority or the President or Vice-President or a Minister, officer or member of the authority in the exercise of the administrative functions of the authority appear to result in injustices or harsh, oppressive or unfair administration; or
(c) where the Ombudsman considers that it is necessary to investigate the action on the grounds specified in subsubparagraph (b), and an allegation under subparagraph (1) (b).
… (Schedule 5, Art. 1)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English
(1) The primary functions of the Commission are—
(a) to advocate and promote respect for, and an understanding and appreciation of, human rights in New Zealand society; and
(b) to encourage the maintenance and development of harmonious relations between individuals and among the diverse groups in New Zealand society; and
(c) to promote racial equality and cultural diversity; and
(d) to promote equal employment opportunities (including pay equity); and
(e) to promote and protect the full and equal enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities.
(2) The Commission has, in order to carry out its primary functions under subsection (1), the following functions:
(a) to be an advocate for human rights and to promote and protect, by education and publicity, respect for, and observance of, human rights:
(b) to encourage and co-ordinate programmes and activities in the field of human rights:
(c) to make public statements in relation to any matter that may affect or infringe human rights (whether or not those human rights are affirmed in New Zealand domestic human rights law or international human rights law), including statements commenting on the position of the Government in relation to that matter:
(ca) to make public statements promoting an understanding of, and compliance with, this Act or the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (for example, statements promoting understanding of measures to ensure equality, of indirect discrimination, or of institutions and procedures under this Act for dealing with complaints of unlawful discrimination):
(d) to promote by research, education, and discussion a better understanding of the human rights dimensions of the Treaty of Waitangi and their relationship with domestic and international human rights law:
(e) to prepare and publish, as the Commission considers appropriate, guidelines and voluntary codes of practice for the avoidance of acts or practices that may be inconsistent with, or contrary to, this Act:
(f) to receive and invite representations from members of the public on any matter affecting human rights:
(g) to consult and co-operate with other persons and bodies concerned with the protection of human rights:
(h) to inquire generally into any matter, including any enactment or law, or any practice, or any procedure, whether governmental or non-governmental, if it appears to the Commission that the matter involves, or may involve, the infringement of human rights:
(i) to appear in or bring proceedings, in accordance with section 6 or section 92B or section 92E or section 92H or section 97:
(j) to apply to a court or tribunal, under rules of court or regulations specifying the tribunal’s procedure, to be appointed as intervener or as counsel assisting the court or tribunal, or to take part in proceedings before the court or tribunal in another way permitted by those rules or regulations, if, in the Commission’s opinion, taking part in the proceedings in that way will facilitate the performance of its functions stated in paragraph (a):
(k) to report to the Prime Minister on—
(i) any matter affecting human rights, including the desirability of legislative, administrative, or other action to give better protection to human rights and to ensure better compliance with standards laid down in international instruments on human rights:
(ii) the desirability of New Zealand becoming bound by any international instrument on human rights:
(iii) [Repealed]
(ka) to report to either or both of the Prime Minister and the Minister responsible on any existing or proposed legislation (including subordinate legislation), administrative provision, or policy of the Government that the Commission considers may affect human rights:
(kb) to promote the development of new international instruments on human rights:
(kc) to promote and monitor compliance by New Zealand with, and the reporting by New Zealand on, the implementation of international instruments on human rights ratified by New Zealand:
(l) to make public statements in relation to any group of persons in, or who may be coming to, New Zealand who are or may be subject to hostility, or who have been or may be brought into contempt, on the basis that that group consists of persons against whom discrimination is unlawful under this Act:
(m) to develop a national plan of action, in consultation with interested parties, for the promotion and protection of human rights in New Zealand:
(n) to exercise the following functions in relation to equal employment opportunities:
(i) to evaluate, through the use of benchmarks developed by the Commission, the roles that legislation, guidelines, and voluntary codes of practice play in facilitating and promoting best practice in equal employment opportunities:
(ii) to lead the development of guidelines and voluntary codes of practice to facilitate and promote best practice in equal employment opportunities (including codes that identify related rights and obligations in legislation) in accordance with paragraph (e):
(iii) to monitor and analyse progress in improving equal employment opportunities in New Zealand and to report to the Minister on the results of that monitoring and analysis:
(iv) to liaise with, and complement the work of, any trust or body that has as one of its purposes the promotion of equal employment opportunities:
(o) to exercise or perform any other functions, powers, and duties conferred or imposed on it by or under this Act or any other enactment.
(3) The Commission may, in the public interest or in the interests of a person, department, or organisation, publish reports relating generally to the exercise of its functions under this Act or to a particular inquiry by it under this Act, whether or not the matters to be dealt with in a report of that kind have been the subject of a report to the Minister or the Prime Minister. (Human Rights Act 1993, Sec. 5)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThere shall be a Human Rights Commission the primary functions of which shall be the protection and investigation of violations of the rights accorded by this Constitution or any other law. (Sec. 129)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe human person is the supreme end [fin] of society and of the State. All have the obligation to respect it and protect it.
The dignity of the human being is inviolable.
To guarantee the rights and freedoms recognized in this Constitution, the Institution of the National Commissioner of Human Rights is created.
The organization, prerogatives and attributions of the National Commissioner of Human Rights will be the object of a special law. (Art. 59) - SpanishLa persona humana es el fin supremo de la Sociedad y del Estado. Todos tienen la obligación de respetarla y protegerla. La dignidad del ser humano es inviolable. Para garantizar los derechos y libertades reconocidos en esta Constitución, créase la institución del Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos. La organización, prerrogativas y atribuciones del Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos será objeto de una Ley Especial. (Art. 59)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. There shall bear an ombudsman, whose office shall be a public office.
… (Sec. 96)