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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
- English
(1) The primary functions of the Commission are—
(a) to advocate and promote respect for, and an understanding and appreciation of, human rights in New Zealand society; and
(b) to encourage the maintenance and development of harmonious relations between individuals and among the diverse groups in New Zealand society; and
(c) to promote racial equality and cultural diversity; and
(d) to promote equal employment opportunities (including pay equity); and
(e) to promote and protect the full and equal enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities.
(2) The Commission has, in order to carry out its primary functions under subsection (1), the following functions:
(a) to be an advocate for human rights and to promote and protect, by education and publicity, respect for, and observance of, human rights:
(b) to encourage and co-ordinate programmes and activities in the field of human rights:
(c) to make public statements in relation to any matter that may affect or infringe human rights (whether or not those human rights are affirmed in New Zealand domestic human rights law or international human rights law), including statements commenting on the position of the Government in relation to that matter:
(ca) to make public statements promoting an understanding of, and compliance with, this Act or the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (for example, statements promoting understanding of measures to ensure equality, of indirect discrimination, or of institutions and procedures under this Act for dealing with complaints of unlawful discrimination):
(d) to promote by research, education, and discussion a better understanding of the human rights dimensions of the Treaty of Waitangi and their relationship with domestic and international human rights law:
(e) to prepare and publish, as the Commission considers appropriate, guidelines and voluntary codes of practice for the avoidance of acts or practices that may be inconsistent with, or contrary to, this Act:
(f) to receive and invite representations from members of the public on any matter affecting human rights:
(g) to consult and co-operate with other persons and bodies concerned with the protection of human rights:
(h) to inquire generally into any matter, including any enactment or law, or any practice, or any procedure, whether governmental or non-governmental, if it appears to the Commission that the matter involves, or may involve, the infringement of human rights:
(i) to appear in or bring proceedings, in accordance with section 6 or section 92B or section 92E or section 92H or section 97:
(j) to apply to a court or tribunal, under rules of court or regulations specifying the tribunal’s procedure, to be appointed as intervener or as counsel assisting the court or tribunal, or to take part in proceedings before the court or tribunal in another way permitted by those rules or regulations, if, in the Commission’s opinion, taking part in the proceedings in that way will facilitate the performance of its functions stated in paragraph (a):
(k) to report to the Prime Minister on—
(i) any matter affecting human rights, including the desirability of legislative, administrative, or other action to give better protection to human rights and to ensure better compliance with standards laid down in international instruments on human rights:
(ii) the desirability of New Zealand becoming bound by any international instrument on human rights:
(iii) [Repealed]
(ka) to report to either or both of the Prime Minister and the Minister responsible on any existing or proposed legislation (including subordinate legislation), administrative provision, or policy of the Government that the Commission considers may affect human rights:
(kb) to promote the development of new international instruments on human rights:
(kc) to promote and monitor compliance by New Zealand with, and the reporting by New Zealand on, the implementation of international instruments on human rights ratified by New Zealand:
(l) to make public statements in relation to any group of persons in, or who may be coming to, New Zealand who are or may be subject to hostility, or who have been or may be brought into contempt, on the basis that that group consists of persons against whom discrimination is unlawful under this Act:
(m) to develop a national plan of action, in consultation with interested parties, for the promotion and protection of human rights in New Zealand:
(n) to exercise the following functions in relation to equal employment opportunities:
(i) to evaluate, through the use of benchmarks developed by the Commission, the roles that legislation, guidelines, and voluntary codes of practice play in facilitating and promoting best practice in equal employment opportunities:
(ii) to lead the development of guidelines and voluntary codes of practice to facilitate and promote best practice in equal employment opportunities (including codes that identify related rights and obligations in legislation) in accordance with paragraph (e):
(iii) to monitor and analyse progress in improving equal employment opportunities in New Zealand and to report to the Minister on the results of that monitoring and analysis:
(iv) to liaise with, and complement the work of, any trust or body that has as one of its purposes the promotion of equal employment opportunities:
(o) to exercise or perform any other functions, powers, and duties conferred or imposed on it by or under this Act or any other enactment.
(3) The Commission may, in the public interest or in the interests of a person, department, or organisation, publish reports relating generally to the exercise of its functions under this Act or to a particular inquiry by it under this Act, whether or not the matters to be dealt with in a report of that kind have been the subject of a report to the Minister or the Prime Minister. (Human Rights Act 1993, Sec. 5)
National Human Rights Bodies
- 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
- English
The Parliament shall:
...
14. appoint and release from duty: the Protector of Human Rights and Liberties;
... (Art. 82) - Montenegrin
Skupština:
...
14) imenuje i razrješava: zaštitnika ljudskih prava i sloboda;
... (Član 82)
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
- 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
- English1. Subject to this section, the Ombudsman may investigate any action taken by any officer or authority to which this section applies in the exercise of administrative functions of that officer or authority, in any case in which a member of, the public claims, or appears to the Ombudsman, to have sustained injustice in consequence of maladministration in connection with the action so taken and in which
a. a complaint under this section is made;
b. he is invited to do so by any Minister or other member of the Assembly; or
c. he considers it desirable to do so of his own motion.
… (Sec. 97)
National Human Rights Bodies
- 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
- English1. The Human Rights Defender shall be an independent official, who shall follow the respect for human rights and freedoms by state and local self-government bodies and officials, as well as by organizations in cases stipulated by the Law on the Human Rights Defender, and shall facilitate the restoration of violated rights and freedoms and the improvement of the normative legal acts related to human rights and freedoms.
2. The Human Rights Defender shall present to the National Assembly an annual communication on his activities and on the situation of protection of human rights and freedoms. The communication may contain recommendations on legislative or other measures.
3. State and local self-government bodies and officials shall be obliged to provide the necessary documents, information, and clarifications to and support the work of the Human Rights Defender in the manner stipulated by law.
4. Other powers of the Human Rights Defender shall be stipulated by the Law on the Human Rights Defender. (Art. 191) - Armenian1. Մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպանն անկախ պաշտոնատար անձ է, որը հետևում է պետական և տեղական ինքնակառավարման մարմինների ու պաշտոնատար անձանց, իսկ Մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպանի մասին օրենքով սահմանված դեպքերում` նաև կազմակերպությունների կողմից մարդու իրավունքների և ազատությունների պահպանմանը, նպաստում է խախտված իրավունքների և ազատությունների վերականգնմանը, իրավունքներին ու ազատություններին առնչվող նորմատիվ իրավական ակտերի կատարելագործմանը:
2. Մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպանը տարեկան հաղորդում է ներկայացնում Ազգային ժողով իր գործունեության, մարդու իրավունքների և ազատությունների պաշտպանության վիճակի մասին: Հաղորդումը կարող է պարունակել օրենսդրական կամ այլ բնույթի միջոցառումների վերաբերյալ առաջարկներ:
3. Պետական և տեղական ինքնակառավարման մարմիններն ու պաշտոնատար անձինք պարտավոր են օրենքով սահմանված կարգով Մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպանին տրամադրել անհրաժեշտ փաստաթղթեր, տեղեկություններ և պարզաբանումներ, ինչպես նաև աջակցել նրա աշխատանքներին:
4. Մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպանի այլ լիազորությունները սահմանվում են Մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպանի մասին օրենքով: (Հոդված 191)
National Human Rights Bodies
- 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)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English...
(2) Aggrieved persons who claim that a fundamental right or freedom guaranteed by this Constitution has been infringed or threatened shall be entitled to approach a competent Court to enforce or protect such a right or freedom, and may approach the Ombudsman to provide them with such legal assistance or advice as they require, and the Ombudsman shall have the discretion in response thereto to provide such legal or other assistance as he or she may consider expedient.
... (Art. 25)