SEARCH DATABASE
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.
ABOUT 478 RESULTS
National Human Rights Bodies
Zambia
- English1. There is established the Human Rights Commission which shall have offices in the Provinces and progressively in districts.
2. The Human Rights Commission shall ensure that the Bill of Rights is upheld and protected.
3. The Human Rights Commission shall—
a. investigate and report on the observance of rights and freedoms;
b. take necessary steps to secure appropriate redress where rights and freedoms are violated;
c. endeavour to resolve a dispute through negotiation, mediation or conciliation;
d. carry out research on rights and freedoms and related matters;
e. conduct civic education on rights and freedoms; and
f. perform such other functions as prescribed. (Art. 230)
National Human Rights Bodies
Guinea
- English…
The Constitutional Court is the judge of the violations of the fundamental rights and public freedoms committed by the public powers, the agents of the State and the citizens. It can be referred to [the matter] by the National Institution of Human Rights.
… (Art. 96) - French…
La Cour constitutionnelle est juge des violations des droits fondamentaux et des libertés publiques commises par les pouvoirs publics, les agents de l'État et les citoyens. Elle peut être saisie par l'Institution nationale des droits humains.
… (Art. 96)
National Human Rights Bodies
Lesotho
- EnglishThere is established a Human Rights Commission (in this Chapter6 referred to as “the Commission”) which shall be independent and free from interference and subject only to this Constitution and any other law. (Sec. 133A)
National Human Rights Bodies
Seychelles
- English(1) There shall be an Ombudsman who shall be appointed by the President from candidates proposed by the constitutional Appointments Authority.
… (Art. 143)
National Human Rights Bodies
South Sudan
- English1. The functions of the Commission shall be to:
a. monitor the application and enforcement of the rights and freedoms enshrined in this Constitution;
b. investigate, on its own initiative, or on a complaint made by any person or group of persons, against any violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
c. visit police jails, prisons and related facilities with a view to assessing and inspecting conditions of the inmates and make recommendations to the relevant authority;
d. establish a continuing programme of research, education and information to enhance respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
e. recommend to the National Legislative Assembly effective measures to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms;
f. create and sustain within society awareness of the provisions of this Constitution as the fundamental law of the people of South Sudan;
g. educate and encourage the public to defend their human rights and fundamental freedoms against all forms of abuse and violation;
h. formulate, implement and oversee programmes intended to inculcate in the citizens awareness of their civic responsibilities and understanding of their rights and obligations as citizens;
i. monitor compliance of all levels of government with international and regional human rights treaties and conventions ratified by the Republic of South Sudan;
j. express opinion or present advice to government organs on any issue related to human rights and fundamental freedoms; and
k. perform such other function as may be prescribed by law.
… (Art. 146)
National Human Rights Bodies
Gambia
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, an Act of the National Assembly shall within six months of the coming into force of this Constitution establish the office of Ombudsman and provision for his or her functions and duties—
(a) in the investigation of any action taken by a government department or other authority, or other public body, to which the Act applies, being action taken in the exercise of the administrative functions of that department or authority, on a complaint by a member of the public who claims he or she has suffered injustice in consequence of maladministration or mismanagement, or discrimination on any ground set out in Chapter IV8, in connection with such action;
… (Sec. 163)
National Human Rights Bodies
Namibia
- 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;
…
(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
Kenya
- 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
Malawi
- 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
South Sudan
- English…
4. This Bill of Rights shall be upheld by the Supreme Court and other competent courts and monitored by the Human Rights Commission. (Art. 9)