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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
- 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)15
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe functions of the Ombudsman are:
…
b. to carry out the functions relating to human rights provided by Act;
… (Art. 82B) - SamoanO galuega tauave nei a le Komesina o Sulufaiga:
…
(e) ia tauaveina galuega tauave e faasino i aia tatau faale-tagata soifua o aiaia e Tulafono;
… (Mataupu 82B)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English…
VII. The Ombudsman of the Azerbaijan Republic shall apply to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan in cases where the rights and freedoms of a person have allegedly been violated by legislative acts in force, normative acts of the executive or of municipalities, or court decisions in accordance with the procedure provided for by the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the adjudication of the cases and applications listed as items 1 to 7 in section III of the present Article.
… (Art. 130) - Azerbaijani…
VII. Azərbaycan Respublikasının İnsan hüquqları üzrə müvəkkili insan hüquq və azadlıqlarını pozan qanunvericilik və icra hakimiyyəti orqanlarının normativ aktlarından, bələdiyyə və məhkəmə aktlarından qanunla müəyyən edilmiş qaydada bu maddənin III hissəsinin 1-7-ci bəndlərində göstərilən məsələlərin Azərbaycan Respublikasının Konstitusiya Məhkəməsi tərəfindən həll edilməsi üçün Azərbaycan Respublikasının Konstitusiya Məhkəməsinə sorğu verə bilər.
… (Maddə 130)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe National Council of Mediation has for its mission the amelioration of relations between the citizens and the Administration, with a view to protect and to promote the rights of citizens.
The National Council of Mediation is endowed with extensive powers to receive the complaints of citizens and to propose solutions in the matters of prevention, of administration [gestion] and of resolution of conflicts. (Art. 134) - FrenchLe Conseil National de la Médiation a pour mission l’amélioration des relations entre les citoyens et l’Administration, en vue de protéger et de promouvoir les droits des citoyens.
Le Conseil National de la Médiation est doté de pouvoirs étendus pour recevoir les réclamations de citoyens et proposer des solutions en matière de prévention, de gestion et de résolution des conflits. (Art. 134)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. The House of Peoples' Representatives shall have the power of legislation in all matters assigned by this Constitution to Federal jurisdiction.
…
14. It shall establish a Human Rights Commission and determine by law its powers and functions.
15. It shall establish the institution of the Ombudsman, and select and appoint its members. It shall determine by law the powers and functions of the institution.
… (Art. 55) - Amharic1. የሕዝብ ተወካዮች ምክር ቤት በዚህ ሕገ መንግሥት መሰረት ለፌዴራሉ መንግሥት በተሰጠው የሥልጣን ክልል ሕጐችን ያወጣል፡፡
…
14. የሰብዓዊ መብቶች ኮሚሽን ያቋቁማል፤ ሥልጣንና ተግባሩን በሕግ ይወስናል፡፡
15. የሕዝብ እንባ ጠባቂ ተቋምን ያቋቁማል፤ ተቋሙን የሚመሩ አባላትን ይመርጣል፤ይሰይማል፡፡ ሥልጣንና ተግባሩን በሕግ ይወስናል፡፡
… (አንቀጽ 55)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English...
2. Any person who claims that a right or freedom guaranteed by this Constitution has been infringed or threatened shall be entitled—
…
b. to make application to the Ombudsman or the Human Rights Commission in order to secure such assistance or advice as he or she may reasonably require.
… (Sec. 46)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English
(1) The national commissions, specialised organs and national councils entrusted with the responsibility to help in resolving important issues facing the country are the following:
(a) national commissions:
(i) National Commission for Human Rights;
…
(b) specialised organs:
(i) Office of the Ombudsman;
…
(2) Specific laws determine the mission, organisation and functioning of these organs.
… (Art. 140) - Kinyarwanda
Komisiyo z’Igihugu, Inzego Zihariye n’Inama z’Igihugu zishinzwe gufasha gukemura ibibazo bikomeye by’Igihugu ni izi zikurikira:
(a) Komisiyo z’Igihugu:
(i) Komisiyo y’Igihugu y’Uburenganzira bwa Muntu;
…
(b) inzego zihariye:
(i) Urwego rw’Umuvunyi;
…
(2) Amategeko yihariye ateganya inshingano, imitunganyirize n’imikorere by’izo nzego.
… (Ingingo ya 140) - French
Les commissions nationales, les organes spécialisés et les conseils nationaux chargés de contribuer à la résolution des problèmes majeurs du pays sont les suivants:
(a) les commissions nationales:
(i) la Commission nationale des Droits de la Personne;
…
(b) les organes spécialisés:
(i) l’Office de l’Ombudsman;
…
(2) Les lois spécifiques déterminent la mission, l’organisation et le fonctionnement de ces organes.
… (Art. 140)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English(1) Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance shall discharge the following functions –
(a) to sensitise countrywide about preservation of human rights and duties to the public in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the land;
(b) to receive complaints in relation to violation of human rights in general;
(c) to conduct inquiry on matters relating to infringement of human rights and violation of principles of good governance;
(d) to conduct research, to impart or disseminate to the public countrywide education in respect of human rights and good governance;
(e) if necessary, to institute proceedings in court in order to prevent violation of human rights or to restore a right that was caused by that infringement of human rights, or violation of principles of good governance;
(f) inquire into the conduct of any person concerned and any institution concerned in relation to the ordinary performance of his duties or functions or abuse of the authority of his office; and
(g) to advice the Government and other public Institutions and private sector in respect of human rights and good governance;
(h) to take necessary action in order to promote and enhance conciliation and reconciliation among persons and various institutions appearing or being brought before the Commission.
… (Art. 130)
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
- EnglishThe Public Defender’s Office is a permanent institution, essential to the State’s jurisdiction function, and it shall be fundamentally responsible, as an expression and instrument of the democratic regime, for legal orientation, the promotion of human rights, and the integral and gratuitous defense, at all levels, judicial and extrajudicial, of individual and collective rights of the needy, as set out in art. 5, LXXXIV.
… (Art. 134) - PortugueseA Defensoria Pública é instituição permanente, essencial à função jurisdicional do Estado, incumbindo-lhe, como expressão e instrumento do regime democrático, fundamentalmente, a orientação jurídica, a promoção dos direitos humanos e a defesa, em todos os graus, judicial e extrajudicial, dos direitos individuais e coletivos, de forma integral e gratuita, aos necessitados, na forma do inciso LXXIV do art. 5º desta Constituição Federal.
… (Art. 134)