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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) 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
…
The associations of defense of the Rights of Man legally constituted can equally defer to the Constitutional Council, before their promulgation, the laws concerning the public freedoms.
The laws concerning the public freedoms are, before their promulgation, transmitted to the organ [organisme] responsible for the defense of the Rights of Man.
… (Art. 113) - French
…
Les associations de défense des droits de l'homme légalement constituées peuvent également déférer au Conseil constitutionnel, avant leur promulgation, les lois relatives aux libertés publiques.
Les lois relatives aux libertés publiques sont, avant leur promulgation, transmises à l’organisme chargé de la défense des droits de l’homme.
… (Art. 113)
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
- EnglishFunctions of the Defender of the People are:
a) To verify and mediate any irregular conduct in the relations between the public or private administration and the citizens.
b) To inform and to denounce before the competent organs concerning conduct not conforming to the laws.
c) To mediate in the conflicts that can arise [surgir] between the Administration and those administered to, proposing the corresponding solutions to the competent organs, according to the cases.
d) To take cognizance of the recourses of amparo and protection against the provisions and acts which violate the rights and freedoms recognized in this Fundamental Law. (Art. 126) - SpanishSon funciones del Defensor del Pueblo:
a) Verificar y mediar cualquier conducta irregular en las relaciones entre la administración pública o privada y los ciudadanos.
b) Informar y denunciar ante los órganos competentes sobre conductas no conformes con las leyes.
c) Mediar en los conflictos que puedan surgir entre la Administración y los administrados, proponiendo las soluciones correspondientes a los órganos competentes, según los casos.
d) Conocer de los recursos de amparo y protección contra las disposiciones y actos que violen los derechos y libertades reconocidos en esta Ley Fundamental. (Art. 126) - FrenchLes fonctions du Défenseur du peuple sont les suivantes:
a) Vérifier et arbitrer tout comportement irrégulier dans les relations entre l'administration publique ou privée et les citoyens.
b) Faire connaître et dénoncer auprès des organes compétents les comportements contraires à la loi.
c) Intervenir dans les conflits susceptibles de surgir entre l'administration et les administrés, en proposant des solutions aux organes compétents, selon le cas.
d) Connaître des recours en protection contre les dispositions et les actes portant atteinte aux droits et libertés reconnus dans la présente Loi fondamentale. (Art. 126)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Authorised Human Rights Representative of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine exercises parliamentary control over the observance of constitutional human and citizens' rights and freedoms. (Art. 101)
- UkrainianПарламентський контроль за додержанням конституційних прав і свобод людини і громадянина здійснює Уповноважений Верховної Ради України з прав людини. (Стаття 101)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. There shall bear an ombudsman, whose office shall be a public office.
… (Sec. 96)
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 Ombudsman is an office established to guarantee the rights of citizens and to uphold legality and justice in the actions of the Public Administration. (Art. 255)
- PortugueseO Provedor de Justiça é um órgão que tem como função a garantia dos direitos dos cidadãos, a defesa da legalidade e da justiça na actuação da Administração Pública. (Art. 255)
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) 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)