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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.
Judicial Protection
- EnglishThe provisions of this Constitution that recognize rights of individuals (including corporations and associations) as well as those that confer powers or impose duties on public authorities, shall not be left without effect because of the lack of supporting, machinery or procedural laws, but the lack shall, as far as practicable, be supplied by the National Court in the light of the National Goals and Directive Principles, and by way of analogy from other laws, general principles of justice and generally-accepted doctrine. (Sec. 22)
Judicial Protection
- English
(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (6) of this section, if any person alleges that any of the provisions of sections 3 to 164 (inclusive) of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him (or, in the case of a person who is detained, if any other person alleges such a contravention in relation to the detained person) then, without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available, that person (or that other person) may apply to the High Court for redress.
(2) The High Court shall have original jurisdiction-
(a) to hear and determine any application made by any person in pursuance of the preceding subsection;
(b) to determine any question arising in the case of any person which is referred to it in pursuance of the next following subsection, and may make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions, including the payment of compensation, as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the provisions of sections 3 to 16 (inclusive) of this Constitution:
Provided that the High Court may decline to exercise its powers under this subsection if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the contravention alleged are or have been available to the person concerned under any other law.
(3) If in any proceedings in any subordinate court any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of sections 3 to 16 (inclusive) of this Constitution, the person presiding in that court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so requests, refer the question to the High Court unless, in his opinion, the raising of the question is merely frivolous or vexatious.
(4) Any person aggrieved by any determination of the High Court under this section may appeal therefrom to the Court of Appeal:
Provided that no appeal shall lie from a determination of the High Court under this section dismissing an application on the ground that it is frivolous or vexatious.
(5) Parliament may confer upon the High Court powers additional to those conferred by this section for the purpose of enabling that court more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this section.
(6) Rules of court making provision with respect to the practise and procedure of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction conferred on it by or under this section (including rules with respect to the time within which any application or reference shall or may be made or brought) may be made by the person or authority for the time being having power to make rules of court with respect to the practice and procedure of that court generally. (Sec. 18)
Judicial Protection
- EnglishThis Bill of Rights applies only to acts done—
(a) by the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of the Government of New Zealand;
… (Bill of Rights Act 1990, Sec. 3)
Judicial Protection
- English
(1) The High Court has original jurisdiction —
(a) to determine any application made under section 38 (application for enforcement of the Bill of Rights); and
(b) to determine any question referred to it under section 39 (questions as to the Bill of Rights arising in subordinate courts),
and may make any orders, issue any writs and give any directions that it thinks appropriate for enforcing or securing the enforcement of this Part.
(2) The High Court may refuse to exercise its powers under subsection (1) if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the alleged contravention are or have been reasonably available to the person concerned under any other law. (Sec. 40)
Judicial Protection
- English…
(2) Any provision of the Bill of Rights may be invoked either as a defense to a civil or criminal proceeding or as a basis for legal or equitable relief against any actual or threatened violation. (Art. II, Sec. 18)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. The Ombudsman shall be appointed, for 5 years, by the President of the Republic after consultation with the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, the leaders of the political parties represented in Parliament, the President of the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, the Presidents of the Provincial Government Councils, and the chairmen of the Public Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission.
2. A person shall be disqualified for appointment as Ombudsman if he is a member of Parliament, the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs or a Provincial Government Council, if he holds any other public office, or if he exercises a position of responsibility within a political party.
... (Art. 61) - French1) Le Médiateur de Vanuatu est nommé, pour cinq ans, par le Président de la République, après consultation du Premier Ministre, du Président du Parlement, des présidents des groupes politiques constitués au sein du Parlement, du président du Conseil National des Chefs, des présidents des conseils provinciaux ainsi que des présidents des Commissions de la Fonction publique et de la Magistrature.
2) La fonction de Médiateur est incompatible avec l'appartenance au Parlement, au Conseil National des Chefs ou à un conseil provincial, et avec l'exercice de toute autre fonction publique ou d'une responsabilité au sein d'un parti politique.
... (Art. 61)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe functions of the Ombudsman are:
…
b. to carry out the functions relating to human rights provided by Act;
… (Art. 82B) - SamoanO galuega tauave nei a le Komesina o Sulufaiga:
…
(e) ia tauaveina galuega tauave e faasino i aia tatau faale-tagata soifua o aiaia e Tulafono;
… (Mataupu 82B)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English
1. There is to be an Ombudsman (Komesina o Sulufaiga) appointed by the Head of State acting on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly.
2. The Ombudsman is to be appointed pursuant to the selection and appointment criteria and other terms and conditions provided by Act.
… (Art. 82A) - Samoan
(1) O le a tatau ona i ai o se Komesina o Sulufaiga (Ombudsman) e tofia e Le Ao o le Malo, i le faia i luga o le fautuaga a le Fono Aoao Faitulafono.
(2) O le a tofia le Komesina o Sulufaiga e tusa ai ma taiala o filifiliga ma tofiga ma isi tuutuuga ma aiaiga o galuega ua aiaia e le Tulafono.
… (Mataupu 82A)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English(1) The functions of the Ombudsman shall be to:-
(a) enquire into the conduct of any person to whom this section applies in the exercise of his office or authority, or abuse thereof;
(b) assist in the improvement of the practices and procedures of public bodies; and
(c) ensure the elimination of arbitrary and unfair decisions.
(2) Parliament may confer additional functions on the Ombudsman.
(3) This section applies to members of the public service, the Police Force, the Prisons Service, the government of Honiara city, provincial governments, and such other offices, commissions, corporate bodies or public agencies as may be prescribed by Parliament:
Provided that it shall not apply to the Governor-General or his personal staff or to the Director of Public Prosecutions or any person acting in accordance with his instructions.
(4) Nothing in this section or in any Act of Parliament enacted for the purposes of this Chapter shall confer on the Ombudsman any power to question or review any decision of any judge, magistrate or registrar in the exercise of his judicial functions. (Sec. 97)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English(1) There shall be an Ombudsman, whose office shall be a public office.
(2) The Ombudsman shall be appointed by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of a committee consisting of the Speaker, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and the Chairman of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.
… (Sec. 96)