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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
- 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 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;
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(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)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English(1) The South African Human Rights Commission must—
(a) promote respect for human rights and a culture of human rights;
(b) promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights; and
(c) monitor and assess the observance of human rights in the Republic.
(2) The South African Human Rights Commission has the powers, as regulated by national legislation, necessary to perform its functions, including the power—
(a) to investigate and to report on the observance of human rights;
(b) to take steps to secure appropriate redress where human rights have been violated;
(c) to carry out research; and
(d) to educate.
… (Sec. 184)
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
- EnglishThe High Council for the Defense of Democracy and of the State of Law is responsible for observing the respect for the ethic of power, of democracy and of the respect for the State of Law, and to control the promotion and the protection of human rights.
The law establishes the modalities relative to the composition, the organization and the functioning of the High Council. (Art. 43) - FrenchLe Haut Conseil pour la défense de la démocratie et de l’Etat de droit est chargé d’observer le respect de l’éthique du pouvoir, de la démocratie et du respect de l’Etat de droit, de contrôler la promotion et la protection des droits de l’homme.
Les modalités relatives à l’organisation et au fonctionnement de ce Comité sont fixées par la loi. (Art. 43)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English
(1) There shall be established the Office of the Ombudsman.
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(5) The Ombudsman shall:
(a) Investigate complaints regarding allegations or outright violations against basic rights and freedoms, abuse of power, unfair behavior, mercilessness, lack of clemency, indiscipline or disrespect towards a person that lives in Somalia by an officer who works at the various levels of government, an apparently unfair behavior, or act in a corrupt manner, or a behavior by an officer deemed as illegal by a democratic society or regarded as mischief or injustice.
… (Art. 111J) - Somali
(1) Waxaa la dhisayaa xafiiska Gardoonka Dadweynaha.
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(5) Adeegaha Gardoorka Dadweynaha waa in uu:
(a) Baaraa cabashooyinka ku saabsan eedeyn ama xadgudub muuqda oo loo geysto xuquuqda iyo xorriyaadka aasaasiga ah, ku-xadgudub awoodeed, hab-dhaqan caddaalad-darro, naxariis-darro, u-turid la’aan ama edeb-darro/ixtiraam la’aan ah oo qof deggan Soomaaliya uu kula kaco sarkaal Dawladda uga shaqeeya heerarkeeda kala duwan, hab-dhaqan uu ka muuqdo caddaalad darro, ama musuq-maasuq ama hab-dhaqanka sarkaalkaasi sameeyo oo bulsho dimuqraaddi ah ay si habboon ugu aragto in uu yahay mid sharci-darro, dulmi ama xaq-darro ah;
... (Qodobka 111J.)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe law shall specify the independent national councils, including the National Council for Human Rights, the National Council for Women, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, and the National Council for Disabled Persons. The law shall state the composition, mandates, and guarantees for the independence and neutrality of their respective members. Each council shall have the right to report to the competent authorities any violations pertaining to their fields of work.
... (Art. 214) - Arabicيحدّد القانون المجالس القومية المستقلة، ومنها المجلس القومى لحقوق الإنسان، والمجلس القومى للمرأة، والمجلس القومى للطفولة والأمومة، والمجلس القومى للأشخاص ذوى الإعاقة، ويبين القانون كيفية تشكيل كل منها، واختصاصاتها، وضمانات استقلال وحياد أعضائها، ولها الحق فى إبلاغ السلطات العامة عن أى انتهاك يتعلق بمجال عملها.
... (المادّة 214)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. The Ombudsman shall be an independent public body whose purpose shall be to defend the rights, freedoms and guarantees of citizens ensuring, by informal means, the justice and legality of the public administration.
2. The Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman shall be elected by the National Assembly on the decision of two thirds of Members in full exercise of their office.
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4. Citizens and corporate bodies may present the Ombudsman with complaints concerning acts or omissions by public authorities which they shall consider, with no powers of decision, submitting the necessary recommendations for the prevention and remedying of injustices to the appropriate bodies.
5. The activity of the Ombudsman shall be independent of the means for ruling on appeals or disputes provided for in the Constitution and the law.
6. It shall be the duty of public administration bodies and agents, citizens and other public collective bodies to cooperate with the work of the Ombudsman.
… (Art. 192) - Portuguese1. O Provedor de Justiça é uma entidade pública independente que tem por objecto a defesa dos direitos, liberdades e garantias dos cidadãos, assegurando, através de meios informais, a justiça e a legalidade da actividade da Administração Pública.
2. O Provedor de Justiça e o Provedor de Justiça-Adjunto são eleitos pela Assembleia Nacional, por deliberação de maioria absoluta dos Deputados em efectividade de funções.
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4. Os cidadãos e as pessoas colectivas podem apresentar à Provedoria de Justiça queixas por acções ou omissões dos poderes públicos, que as aprecia sem poder decisório, dirigindo aos órgãos competentes as recomendações necessárias para prevenir e reparar as injustiças.
5. A actividade do Provedor de Justiça é independente dos meios graciosos e contenciosos previstos na Constituição e na lei.
6. Os órgãos e agentes da administração pública, os cidadãos e demais pessoas colectivas públicas têm o dever de cooperar com o Provedor de Justiça na prossecução dos seus fins.
... (Art. 192)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe office of the Ombudsman in existence immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution shall, until the President appoints the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice and his Deputies, and provision is otherwise made, continue as if it forms part of the Office of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice. (First Schedule, Transitional Provisions, Art. 11)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. The office of the Ombudsman may investigate any and all cases where it is alleged that a person has suffered injustice and it does not appear that there is any remedy reasonably available by way of proceedings in a court or by way of appeal from a court or where there is no other practicable remedy.
2. Notwithstanding subsection (1), the powers of the office of the Ombudsman under this section shall not oust the jurisdiction of the courts and the decisions and exercise of powers by the Ombudsman shall be reviewable by the High Court on the application of any person with sufficient interest in a case the Ombudsman has determined. (Sec. 123)