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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
- EnglishThe following are functions of the People Defender:
1. To see that the human rights provided for in this Constitution and in the international treaties, agreements and conventions on human rights ratified by the Republic are effectively respected and guaranteed, investigating either on his own initiative or at the request of any denunciation of which he or she becomes aware.
2. To see to the proper functioning of public services; protect and defend the legitimate, collective and diffuse rights and interests of persons against arbitrary acts, abuse of authority and errors committed in the providing of such public services, filing when appropriate, any actions to demand that the State compensate parties subject to its administrative actions for any damages that may have been caused them in connection with the functioning of such public services.
3. To file unconstitutionality actions, summary constitutional remedies, habeas corpus, habeas data and any other actions or motions necessary in order to exercise the powers indicated above, where proper in accordance with law.
4. To urge the General Prosecutor of the Republic to pursue any appropriate actions or motions against public Officials responsible for violations of or encroachment upon human rights.
5. To ask the Republican Ethic Council to take the appropriate measures with regard to public officials responsible for violations of or encroachment upon human rights.
6. To ask the competent authority to apply appropriate corrective and punitive measures in cases involving violations of the rights of consumers and users, in accordance with law.
7. To submit to legislative organs at the municipal, state or national levels, bills or other initiatives for the progressive protection of human rights.
8. To protect the rights of native peoples and take such action as may be necessary to guarantee and protect such rights effectively.
9. To visit and inspect the dependencies and establishments of State agencies, to prevent or protect human rights.
10. To place before the appropriate organs recommendations and observations as necessary in the interest of providing optimum protection for human rights, to which end shall develop mechanisms for remaining in constant communication with national and international public and private organs for the protection and defense of human rights.
11. To promote and implement policies for the expansion and effective protection of human rights.
12. Such other functions as may be established by the Constitution and by law. (Art. 281) - SpanishSon atribuciones del Defensor o Defensora del Pueblo:
1. Velar por el efectivo respeto y garantía de los derechos humanos consagrados en esta Constitución y en los tratados, convenios y acuerdos internacionales sobre derechos humanos ratificados por la República, investigando de oficio o a instancia de parte las denuncias que lleguen a su conocimiento.
2. Velar por el correcto funcionamiento de los servicios públicos, amparar y proteger los derechos e intereses legítimos, colectivos y difusos de las personas, contra las arbitrariedades, desviaciones de poder y errores cometidos en la prestación de los mismos, interponiendo cuando fuere procedente las acciones necesarias para exigir al Estado el resarcimiento a los administrados de los daños y perjuicios que les sean ocasionado con motivo del funcionamiento de los servicios públicos.
3. Interponer las acciones de inconstitucionalidad, amparo, habeas corpus, habeas data y las demás acciones o recursos necesarios para ejercer las atribuciones señaladas en los ordinales anteriores, cuando fuere procedente de conformidad con la ley.
4. Instar al Fiscal o Fiscala General de la República para que intente las acciones o recursos a que hubiere lugar contra los funcionarios públicos o funcionarias públicas, responsables de la violación o menoscabo de los derechos humanos.
5. Solicitar al Consejo Moral Republicano que adopte las medidas a que hubiere lugar respecto de los funcionarios públicos o funcionarias públicas responsables por la violación o menoscabo de los derechos humanos.
6. Solicitar ante el órgano competente la aplicación de los correctivos y las sanciones a que hubiere lugar por la violación de los derechos del público consumidor y usuario, de conformidad con la ley.
7. Presentar ante los órganos legislativos nacionales, estadales o municipales, proyectos de ley u otras iniciativas para la protección progresiva de los derechos humanos.
8. Velar por los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y ejercer las acciones necesarias para su garantía y efectiva protección.
9. Visitar e inspeccionar las dependencias y establecimientos de los órganos del Estado, a fin de prevenir o proteger los derechos humanos.
10. Formular ante los órganos correspondientes las recomendaciones y observaciones necesarias para la mejor protección de los derechos humanos, para lo cual desarrollará mecanismos de comunicación permanente con órganos públicos o privados, nacionales e internacionales, de protección y defensa de los derechos humanos.
11. Promover y ejecutar políticas para la difusión y efectiva protección de los derechos humanos.
12. Las demás que establezcan la Constitución y la ley. (Art. 281)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. The office of the Ombudsman may investigate any and all cases where it is alleged that a person has suffered injustice and it does not appear that there is any remedy reasonably available by way of proceedings in a court or by way of appeal from a court or where there is no other practicable remedy.
2. Notwithstanding subsection (1), the powers of the office of the Ombudsman under this section shall not oust the jurisdiction of the courts and the decisions and exercise of powers by the Ombudsman shall be reviewable by the High Court on the application of any person with sufficient interest in a case the Ombudsman has determined. (Sec. 123)
National Human Rights Bodies
- 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
- EnglishFunctions of the Defender of the People are:
a) To verify and mediate any irregular conduct in the relations between the public or private administration and the citizens.
b) To inform and to denounce before the competent organs concerning conduct not conforming to the laws.
c) To mediate in the conflicts that can arise [surgir] between the Administration and those administered to, proposing the corresponding solutions to the competent organs, according to the cases.
d) To take cognizance of the recourses of amparo and protection against the provisions and acts which violate the rights and freedoms recognized in this Fundamental Law. (Art. 126) - SpanishSon funciones del Defensor del Pueblo:
a) Verificar y mediar cualquier conducta irregular en las relaciones entre la administración pública o privada y los ciudadanos.
b) Informar y denunciar ante los órganos competentes sobre conductas no conformes con las leyes.
c) Mediar en los conflictos que puedan surgir entre la Administración y los administrados, proponiendo las soluciones correspondientes a los órganos competentes, según los casos.
d) Conocer de los recursos de amparo y protección contra las disposiciones y actos que violen los derechos y libertades reconocidos en esta Ley Fundamental. (Art. 126) - FrenchLes fonctions du Défenseur du peuple sont les suivantes:
a) Vérifier et arbitrer tout comportement irrégulier dans les relations entre l'administration publique ou privée et les citoyens.
b) Faire connaître et dénoncer auprès des organes compétents les comportements contraires à la loi.
c) Intervenir dans les conflits susceptibles de surgir entre l'administration et les administrés, en proposant des solutions aux organes compétents, selon le cas.
d) Connaître des recours en protection contre les dispositions et les actes portant atteinte aux droits et libertés reconnus dans la présente Loi fondamentale. (Art. 126)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Authorised Human Rights Representative of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine exercises parliamentary control over the observance of constitutional human and citizens' rights and freedoms. (Art. 101)
- UkrainianПарламентський контроль за додержанням конституційних прав і свобод людини і громадянина здійснює Уповноважений Верховної Ради України з прав людини. (Стаття 101)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of this article, the Ombudsman may investigate any action taken by any department of Government or by any other authority to which this article applies, or by the President, Ministers, 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 action as aforesaid in any of the following circumstances, that is to say -
(a) if a complaint in respect of the action is duly made to the Ombudsman by any person or body or persons, whether incorporated or not alleging that the complainant has sustained injustice in consequence of a fault in administration;
(b) if the President, a Minister or a member of the National Assembly requests the Ombudsman to investigate the action 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 action on the ground that some person or body of persons has or may have sustained such injustice.
(3) The Ombudsman shall not investigate under this Subtitle -
(a) any action in respect of which the complainant has or had -
(i) a remedy by way of proceedings in a court; or
(ii) a right of appeal, reference or review to or before an independent and impartial tribunal other than a court; or
(b) any such action, or action taken with respect to any such matter, as is excluded from investigation under article 193:
Provided that the Ombudsman -
(i) may conduct an investigation notwithstanding that the complainant has or had a remedy by way of proceedings in a court if satisfied that in the particular circumstances it is not reasonable to expect him to take or to have taken such proceedings;
(ii) shall not in any case be precluded from conducting an investigation in respect of any matter by reason only that it is open to the complainant to apply to the High Court for redress under article 153(1) (which relates to redress for contraventions of provisions for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms).
… (Art. 192)
National Human Rights Bodies
- 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)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. There shall be a Banaba Island Council.
2. The powers and duties of the Banaba Island Council shall be prescribed by or under law. (Sec. 121)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English(1) Independent commissions shall be established, and figures with attested competence and integrity shall be nominated therefore. They are formed and their competencies defined by the laws that establish them.
...
(4) The Council of Ministers appoints the chairman and members of the following commissions,
(c) Human Rights Commission;
... (Art. 38) - Arabic1.تنشأ مفوضيات مستقلة ويرشح لها شخصيات من الخبراء مشهود لهم بالكفاءة والنزاهة، وتشكل وتحدد إختصاصاتها وفق القوانيين التي تنشئها
4.يعين مجلس الوزراء رئيس واعضاء المفوضيات الأتيه:....
(ج) مفوضية حقوق الإنسان.....
(الماده 39)
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)