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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
Guatemala
- EnglishThe Procurator of Human Rights is a commissioner [comisionado] of the Congress of the Republic for the defense of the Human Rights guaranteed by the Constitution. He [or she] will have the faculties to supervise the administration; will exercise the office for a term of five years, and will render an annual report to the plenary of the Congress, with which he [or she] will relate through the Commission of Human Rights. (Art. 274)
- SpanishEl Procurador de los Derechos Humanos es un comisionado del Congreso de la República para la defensa de los Derechos Humanos que la Constitución garantiza. Tendrá facultades de supervisar la administración; ejercerá su cargo por un período de cinco años, y rendirá informe anual al pleno del Congreso, con el que se relacionará a través de la Comisión de Derechos Humanos. (Art. 274)
National Human Rights Bodies
Guyana
- English(1) The functions of the Human Rights Commission are to –
(a) monitor the observance of the international instruments to which the Government accedes from time to time, including those already acceded to and specified in the Fourth Schedule;
(b) monitor and assess compliance with the rights and report the need for any amendment of the law relating thereto to the National Assembly;
(c) educate the public regarding the nature and content of the rights;
(d) make recommendations to any person or any entity, including a ministry or government department, relating to matters affecting compliance with and adoption of measures for the promotion of the rights;
(e) carry out or cause to be carried out research and studies concerning the observance of the rights and report the findings and recommendations thereon to the National Assembly;
(f) monitor and review all existing and proposed legislation, policies and measures for compliance with the rights and report the need for any amendment to any legislation to the National Assembly;
(g) investigate complaints of, or initiate investigations into, violations of the rights;
(h) resolve disputes or rectify acts or omissions by mediation, conciliation or negotiation;
(i) liaise with governmental and nongovernmental organisations, and other relevant bodies to address the complaints and concerns of persons regarding matters under its purview;
(j) take appropriate action on behalf of persons whose rights have been, are being or are likely to be violated;
(k) enlist the aid of such persons as may be necessary to give expert advice in order to facilitate its functions;
(l) establish as part of its Secretariat, such units as are necessary for, inter alia, the purpose of monitoring compliance with the laws relating to the rights, and for educating employers in the public and private sector and the general public on desirable employment practices;
(m) prepare and submit reports to the National Assembly pertaining to any convention, covenant or charter relating to the objects of the Commission; and
(n) do all other acts and things as may be necessary to facilitate the efficient discharge of the functions of the Commission.
(2) If any person alleges that any of the rights has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him or her, then, without prejudice to any other action which is lawfully available to him or her, with respect to the same matter, the Commission shall have the power to institute legal action on behalf of the complainant for redress. (Art. 212O)
National Human Rights Bodies
Trinidad and Tobago
- English(1) Subject to this section and to sections 94 and 95, the principal function of the Ombudsman shall be to investigate any decision or recommendation made, including any advice given or recommendation made to a Minister, or any act done or omitted by any department of Government or any other authority to which this section applies, or by officers or members of such a department or authority, being action taken in exercise of the administrative functions of that department or authority.
(2) The Ombudsman may investigate any such matter in any of the following circumstances:
(a) where a complaint is duly made to the Ombudsman by any person alleging that the complainant has sustained an injustice as a result of a fault in administration;
(b) where a member of the House of Representatives requests the Ombudsman to investigate the matter on the ground that a person or body of persons specified in the request has or may have sustained such injustice;
(c) in any other circumstances in which the Ombudsman considers that he ought to investigate the matter on the ground that some person or body of persons has or may have sustained such injustice.
(3) The authorities other than departments of Government to which this section applies are—
(a) local authorities or other bodies established for purposes of the public service or of Local Government;
(b) authorities or bodies the majority of whose members are appointed by the President or by a Minister or whose revenues consist wholly or mainly of moneys provided out of public funds;
(c) any authority empowered to determine the person with whom any contract shall be entered into by or on behalf of Government;
(d) such other authorities as may be prescribed. (Sec. 93)
National Human Rights Bodies
Haiti
- EnglishIn the exercise of its functions, it will pay a special attention to the complaints presented by women, particularly in that relating to the discriminations and the aggressions of which they may be victims notably in their work. (Art. 207-2bis)
- FrenchDans l’exercise de ses fonctions, il accordera une attention spéciale aux plaintes déposées par les femmes, particulièrement en ce qui a trait aux discriminations et aux agressions dont elles peuvent être victimes notamment dans leur travail (Art. 207.2bis)
National Human Rights Bodies
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
- EnglishThe following are functions of the Office of Public Prosecutions:
1. In judicial proceedings, to guarantee respect for constitutional rights and guarantees, as well as those deriving from international treaties, agreements and conventions signed by the Republic.
… (Art. 285) - SpanishSon atribuciones del Ministerio Público:
1. Garantizar en los procesos judiciales el respeto de los derechos y garantías constitucionales, así como de los tratados, convenios y acuerdos internacionales suscritos por la República.
… (Art. 285)
National Human Rights Bodies
Bolivia, Plurinational State of
- EnglishI. The Public Defender (Defensor del Pueblo) shall oversee the enforcement, promotion, dissemination of and compliance with human rights, both individual and collective, that are established in the Constitution, laws and international instruments. The function of the Public Defender shall extend to the administrative activity of the entire public sector and the activity of private institutions that provide public services.
II. The Public Defender shall also promote the defense of the rights of the nations and rural native indigenous peoples, of urban and intercultural communities, and of Bolivians who are abroad.
III. The Public Defender is an institution with operational, financial and administrative autonomy, in accordance with the law. Its functions shall be governed by the principles of free services, accessibility, swiftness and solidarity. In the exercise of its functions it does not receive instructions from the organs of the State. (Art. 218) - SpanishI. La Defensoría del Pueblo velará por la vigencia, promoción, difusión y cumplimiento de los derechos humanos, individuales y colectivos, que se establecen en la Constitución, las leyes y los instrumentos internacionales. La función de la Defensoría alcanzará a la actividad administrativa de todo el sector público y a la actividad de las instituciones privadas que presten servicios públicos.
II. Corresponderá asimismo a la Defensoría del Pueblo la promoción de la defensa de los derechos de las naciones y pueblos indígena originario campesinos, de las comunidades urbanas e interculturales, y de las bolivianas y los bolivianos en el exterior.
III. La Defensoría del Pueblo es una institución con autonomía funcional, financiera y administrativa, en el marco de la ley. Sus funciones se regirán bajo los principios de gratuidad, accesibilidad, celeridad y solidaridad. En el ejercicio de sus funciones no recibe instrucciones de los órganos del Estado. (Art. 218)
National Human Rights Bodies
Colombia
- EnglishThe Procurator General of the Nation, by himself or through his delegates and agents, will have the following functions:
1. To oversee compliance with the Constitution, the laws, the judicial decisions, and the administrative acts
2. To protect the human rights and assure their effectiveness, with the assistance of the Defender of the People.
…
7. To intervene in the processes and before the judicial or administrative authorities, when necessary, in defense of the legal order, the public patrimony, or the fundamental rights and guarantees.
… (Art. 277) - SpanishEl Procurador General de la Nación, por sí o por medio de sus delegados y agentes, tendrá las siguientes funciones:
1. Vigilar el cumplimiento de la Constitución, las leyes, las decisiones judiciales y los actos administrativos.
2. Proteger los derechos humanos y asegurar su efectividad, con el auxilio del Defensor del Pueblo.
…
7. Intervenir en los procesos y ante las autoridades judiciales o administrativas, cuando sea necesario en defensa del orden jurídico, del patrimonio público, o de los derechos y garantías fundamentales.
… (Art. 277)
National Human Rights Bodies
Ecuador
- EnglishThe National Equality Councils are bodies responsible for ensuring the full observance and exercise of the rights enshrined in the Constitution and in international human rights instruments. The Councils shall exercise their attributions for the drafting, cross-cutting application, observance, follow-up and evaluation of public policies involving the issues of gender, ethnic groups, generations, interculturalism, and disabilities and human mobility, in accordance with the law. To achieve their objectives, they shall coordinate with leading and executive entities and with specialized organizations for the protection of rights at all levels of government. (Art. 156)
- SpanishLos consejos nacionales para la igualdad son órganos responsables de asegurar la plena vigencia y el ejercicio de los derechos consagrados en la Constitución y en los instrumentos internacionales de derechos humanos. Los consejos ejercerán atribuciones en la formulación, transversalización, observancia, seguimiento y evaluación de las políticas públicas relacionadas con las temáticas de género, étnicas, generacionales, interculturales, y de discapacidades y movilidad humana, de acuerdo con la ley. Para el cumplimiento de sus fines se coordinarán con las entidades rectoras y ejecutoras y con los organismos especializados en la protección de derechos en todos los niveles de gobierno. (Art. 156)
National Human Rights Bodies
Guatemala
- EnglishThe Congress of the Republic will appoint a Commission of Human Rights formed by a deputy for each political party represented in the corresponding period. This Commission shall propose to the Congress three candidates for the election of a Procurator, who must meet the requirements of a magistrate of the Supreme Court of Justice and will enjoy the same immunities and privileges as the deputies to Congress. The law will regulate the attributions of the Commission and of the Procurator of Human Rights to which this Article refers. (Art. 273)
- SpanishEl Congreso de la República designará una Comisión de Derechos Humanos formada por un diputado por cada partido político representado en el correspondiente período. Esta Comisión propondrá al Congreso tres candidatos para la elección de un Procurador, que deberá reunir las calidades de los magistrados de la Corte Suprema de Justicia y gozará de las mismas inmunidades y prerrogativas de los diputados al Congreso. La ley regulará las atribuciones de la Comisión y del Procurador de los Derechos Humanos a que se refiere este artículo. (Art. 273)
National Human Rights Bodies
Guyana
- English(1) The Human Rights Commission shall promote the observance of and respect for, and protect and investigate violations of the rights recognized by this Constitution and any other law relating to equality of opportunity and treatment (hereinafter referred to as “the rights”).
(2) The Human Rights Commission shall consist of a full time Chairperson and such other members, to be appointed in accordance with this article.
(3) The Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission shall be a person who holds or has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person with expertise or experience in human rights matters, to be appointed by the President from a list, not unacceptable to the President, of six person submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with such entities as appear to him or her to have expertise or experience in human rights matters
...
(4) In addition to the Chairperson, there shall be four members of the Commission who shall be Chairpersons of the Ethnic Relations Commission, Women and Gender Equality Commission, Indigenous People’s Commission and Rights of the Child Commission.
… (Art. 212N)