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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.
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National Human Rights Bodies
Lesotho
- EnglishThe Commission shall perform the following functions –
a. monitor the state of human rights throughout Lesotho;
b. monitor the human rights situation of detainees;
c. investigate violations of human rights and, if necessary, be responsible for instituting proceedings against such violation in the courts of law;
d. sensitise the public on its work, the nature and meaning of human rights;
e. develop and deliver education and training programmes as necessary to the general public;
f. submit opinions, recommendations, propositions and reports to public institutions on human rights issues, using the media and other means;
g. advocate for ratification, and recommend the domestication of international and regional human rights instruments;
h. promote and monitor the harmonisation of national laws and practices with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by Lesotho;
i. develop and maintain working relations with organisations and representatives of civil society in Lesotho;
j. work in cooperation with the United Nations, regional mechanisms, national human rights institutions of other countries, in the areas of the promotion and protection of human rights, and
k. undertake any other activities or responsibilities that are consistent with the spirit of the promotion and protection of human rights. (Sec. 133F)
National Human Rights Bodies
Zimbabwe
- English(1) The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has the following functions—
(a) to promote awareness of and respect for human rights and freedoms at all levels of society;
(b) to promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights and freedoms;
(c) to monitor, assess and ensure observance of human rights and freedoms;
(d) to receive and consider complaints from the public and to take such action in regard to the complaints as it considers appropriate;
(e) to protect the public against abuse of power and maladministration by State and public institutions and by officers of those institutions;
(f) to investigate the conduct of any authority or person, where it is alleged that any of the human rights and freedoms set out in the Declaration of Rights has been violated by that authority or person;
(g) to secure appropriate redress, including recommending the prosecution of offenders, where human rights or freedoms have been violated;
(h) to direct the Commissioner-General of Police to investigate cases of suspected criminal violations of human rights or freedoms and to report to the Commission on the results of any such investigation;
(i) to recommend to Parliament effective measures to promote human rights and freedoms;
(j) to conduct research into issues relating to human rights and freedoms and social justice; and
(k) to visit and inspect—
(i) prisons, places of detention, refugee camps and related facilities; and
(ii) places where mentally disordered or intellectually handicapped persons are detained;
in order to ascertain the conditions under which persons are kept there, and to make recommendations regarding those conditions to the Minister responsible for administering the law relating to those places.
(2) The Commissioner-General of Police must comply with any directive given to him or her by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission under subsection (1)(h). (Sec. 243)
National Human Rights Bodies
Kenya
- English…
(11) The chairperson and vice-chairperson of a commission6 shall not be of the same gender.
… (Art. 250) - Swahili…
(11) Mwenyeketi na makamu mwenyekiti wa tume hawatakuwa wa jinsia moja.
… (Kifungu cha 250)
National Human Rights Bodies
Malawi
- EnglishThe Human Rights Commission shall, with respect to the applications of an individual or class of persons, or on its own motion, have such powers of investigation and recommendation as are reasonably necessary for the effective promotion of the rights conferred by or under this Constitution, or any other written law but shall not exercise a judicial or legislative function and shall not be given powers so to do. (Sec. 130)
National Human Rights Bodies
Equatorial Guinea
- EnglishThe Defender of the People is the high commissioned [person] of the Chamber of the Deputies and of the Senate, designated by them for the defense of the rights of the citizens comprehended in this Fundamental Law, to which effect, he can supervise the activity of the Administration, giving account to the Chamber of the Deputies and to the Senate. (Art. 122)
- SpanishEl Defensor del Pueblo es el alto comisionado de la Cámara de los Diputados y del Senado, designado por éstas para la defensa de los derechos de los ciudadanos comprendidos en esta Ley Fundamental, a cuyo efecto, podrá supervisar la actividad de la Administración, dando cuenta a la Cámara de los Diputados y al Senado. (Art. 122)
- FrenchLe Défenseur du peuple est le haut-commissaire, désigné par la Chambre des députés et le Sénat, chargé de la défense des droits des citoyens consacrés par la présente Loi fondamentale et, à cette fin, il est habilité à superviser l'activité de l'administration avec obligation d'en rendre compte à la Chambre des députés et au Sénat. (Art. 122)
National Human Rights Bodies
Gambia
- English(1) The President shall appoint an Ombudsman and his or her Deputies in consultation with the Public Service Commission, subject to confirmation of the National Assembly within seven days of the presentation of the request:
Provided that where the National Assembly rejects a person nominated by the President, it shall not again reject the person nominated to replace him or her.
… (Sec. 164)
National Human Rights Bodies
Somalia
- English(1) There shall be a Human Rights Commissions that shall be mandated to:
(a) Promote respect of human rights, and the culture of human rights;
(b) Promote the protection, development, and attainment of human rights; and
(c) Monitor and assess the observance of the conduct of human rights in the Federal Republic of Somalia.
(2) In accordance with the Constitution, the Human Rights Commission shall have powers to perform the following functions:
(a) To investigate and 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 the public and state officials on international standards relating to human rights.
(3) The powers and the activities of the Human Rights Commission shall be stipulated in the Human Rights Commission Act.
… (Art. 111B) - Somali(1) Waa inuu jiraa Guddiga Xuquuqda Aadamiga oo loo xilsaaro:
(a) Horumarinta xushmeynta xuquuqdda aadmigga iyo dhaqanka xuquuqda aadamigga;
(b) Horumarinta ilaalinta, xoojinta iyo adkeynta xuquuqda aadmiga; iyo
(c) Baaritaanka iyo qiimeynta hab dhaqanka xuquuqda aadamiga ee Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka ee Soomaaliya.
(2) Guddiga Xuquuqdda Aadmiga: Iyadoo la tixraacayo Dastuurka, Guddiga Xuquuqda Aadmiga, wuxuu yeelahanayaa awood uu ku fuliyo hawlahan:
(a) Inay baaritaan ku sameeyaan, warbixina ka soo saaraan sida loogu dhaqmayo xuquuqdda aadmiga;
(b) Inay si ku habboon xal ugu raadiyaan meelaha lagu xad gudbay xuquuqda aadmiga;
(c) Inay cilmi baaris ku sameeyaan; iyo
(d) Inay cilmi wacyi gelin u sameeyaan dadweynaha iyo saraakiisha xukuumadda heerarka caalamiga ah ee ku saabsan xuquuqdda aadmiga.
(3) Awoodaha iyo hawaha ah ee Guddiga waa inuu ku dhignaadaa Sharciyadda Xuquuqda Aadmiga.
… (Qodobka 111Baad.)
National Human Rights Bodies
Namibia
- English(1) There shall be an Ombudsman, who shall have the powers and functions set out in this Constitution.
(2) The Ombudsman shall be independent and subject only to this Constitution and the law.
(3) No member of the Cabinet or the Legislature or any other person shall interfere with the Ombudsman in the exercise of his or her functions and all organs of the State shall accord such assistance as may be needed for the protection of the independence, dignity and effectiveness of the Ombudsman.
... (Art. 89)