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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 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
- EnglishThe powers of the Office of the Public Defender, in addition to those established in the Constitution and the law, are the following:
1. To file actions of Unconstitutionality, of Liberty, of Constitutional Protection, of Protection of Privacy, Popular actions, actions for Compliance and the direct appeal of nullity, without the requirement of having a mandate.
2. To present bills and modifications of laws, decrees and non-judicial resolutions in matters of its competence.
3. To investigate, on its own or at the request of a party, the acts or omissions that imply violations of rights, individual and collective, that are established in the Constitution, laws and international instruments, and request that the Public Ministry initiate the corresponding legal actions.
4. To request information from the authorities and public servants with respect to the investigations that the Public Defender is carrying out, to which no objection may be posed.
5. To formulate recommendations, reminders of legal duties, and suggestions for the immediate adoption of corrective measures for all the organs and institutions of the State, and to issue public censure for acts or behavior contrary to these formulations.
6. To have free access to the center of detention and prisons, to which no one may pose an objection.
7. To exercise its functions without interruption of any kind, even in the case of a declaration of a state of emergency.
8. To attend to the persons who request its services promptly and without discrimination.
9. To draft the regulations needed for the exercise of its functions. (Art. 222) - SpanishSon atribuciones de la Defensoría del Pueblo, además de las que establecen la Constitución y la ley:
1. Interponer las acciones de Inconstitucionalidad, de Libertad, de Amparo Constitucional, de Protección de Privacidad, Popular, de Cumplimiento y el recurso directo de nulidad, sin necesidad de mandato.
2. Presentar proyectos de ley y proponer modificaciones a leyes, decretos y resoluciones no judiciales en materia de su competencia.
3. Investigar, de oficio o a solicitud de parte, los actos u omisiones que impliquen violación de los derechos, individuales y colectivos, que se establecen en la Constitución, las leyes y los instrumentos internacionales, e instar al Ministerio Público al inicio de las acciones legales que correspondan.
4. Solicitar a las autoridades y servidores públicos información respecto a las investigaciones que realice la Defensoría del Pueblo, sin que puedan oponer reserva alguna.
5. Formular recomendaciones, recordatorios de deberes legales, y sugerencias para la inmediata adopción de correctivos y medidas a todos los órganos e instituciones del Estado, y emitir censura pública por actos o comportamientos contrarios a dichas formulaciones.
6. Acceder libremente a los centros de detención e internación, sin que pueda oponerse objeción alguna.
7. Ejercer sus funciones sin interrupción de ninguna naturaleza, aun en caso de declaratoria de estado de excepción.
8. Asistir con prontitud y sin discriminación a las personas que soliciten sus servicios.
9. Elaborar los reglamentos necesarios para el ejercicio de sus funciones. (Art. 222)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. The human rights and freedoms enshrined in this Chapter7 shall be respected and upheld by the executive, legislature, judiciary and all organs of the Government and its agencies and, where applicable to them, by all natural and legal persons in Malawi and shall be enforceable in the manner prescribed in this Chapter.
2. Any person or group of persons, natural or legal, with sufficient interest in the promotion, protection and enforcement of rights under this Chapter shall be entitled to the assistance of the courts, the Ombudsman, the Human Rights Commission and other organs of the Government to ensure the promotion, protection and enforcement of those rights and the redress of any grievances in respect of those rights. (Sec. 15)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English(1) The South African Human Rights Commission must—
(a) promote respect for human rights and a culture of human rights;
(b) promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights; and
(c) monitor and assess the observance of human rights in the Republic.
(2) The South African Human Rights Commission has the powers, as regulated by national legislation, necessary to perform its functions, including the power—
(a) to investigate and to 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.
… (Sec. 184)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English
[The following] are attributions of the National Assembly:
...
9) To elect with sixty percent of the votes of the total of the Deputies of the National Assembly, from separate lists proposed for each office [cargo] by the President of the Republic and by the Deputies, in consultation with the pertinent civil organizations:
...
d) The Procurator and Sub-Procurator for the Defense of Human Rights;
... (Art. 138) - Spanish
Son atribuciones de la Asamblea Nacional:
...
9) Elegir con el sesenta por ciento de los votos del total de los Diputados de la Asamblea Nacional, de listas separadas propuestas para cada cargo por el Presidente de la República y por los Diputados, en consulta con las organizaciones civiles pertinentes:
...
d) Al Procurador y Subprocurador para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos.
... (Art. 138)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Defender of the People will be elected by the Chamber of the Deputies and the Senate, [and] confirmed [ratificado] by the President of the Republic, for a period of five years. (Art. 123)
- SpanishEl Defensor del Pueblo será elegido por la Cámara de los Diputados y el Senado, ratificado por el Presidente de la República, para un periodo de cinco años. (Art. 123)
- FrenchLe Défenseur du peuple est élu par la Chambre des députés et le Sénat pour une période de cinq ans. Sa désignation doit être ratifiée par le Président de la République. (Art. 123)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English
...
The Defender of the People is elected and removed by the Congress with the vote of two-thirds of its legal number. He enjoys the same immunity and the same prerogatives as the Congressmen.
To be elected Defender of the People, it is required to have attained 35 years of age and to be an attorney.
The office [cargo] lasts five years and is not subject to an imperative mandate. He has the same incompatibilities as the Supreme Members [vocales supremos]. (Art. 161) - Spanish
...
El Defensor del Pueblo es elegido y removido por el Congreso con el voto de los dos tercios de su número legal. Goza de la misma inmunidad y de las mismas prerrogativas de los congresistas.
Para ser elegido Defensor del Pueblo se requiere haber cumplido treinta y cinco años de edad y ser abogado.
El cargo dura cinco años y no está sujeto a mandato imperativo. Tiene las mismas incompatibilidades que los vocales supremos. (Art. 161)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe People Defender’s Office is charged with the furtherance, defense and oversight of the rights and guarantees established under this Constitution and international treaties on human rights, in addition to defending the legitimate, collective and diffuse interest of the citizens.
The People Defender’s Office shall act under the direction and responsibility of the People Defender, who shall be designated to serve for a single seven-year term. The People Defender must be a Venezuelan national over the age of 30 years, with manifest and proven competence in the field of human rights, and must meet with such requirements as to honesty, ethics and morality as may be established by law. If the People Defender is temporarily or permanently unavailable to serve, the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with applicable provisions of law. (Art. 280) - SpanishLa Defensoría del Pueblo tiene a su cargo la promoción, defensa y vigilancia de los derechos y garantías establecidos en esta Constitución y los tratados internacionales sobre derechos humanos, además de los intereses legítimos, colectivos y difusos, de los ciudadanos.
La Defensoría del Pueblo actuará bajo la dirección y responsabilidad del Defensor o Defensora del Pueblo, quien será designado o designada por un único período de siete años.
Para ser Defensor o Defensora del Pueblo se requiere ser venezolano o venezolana, mayor de treinta años, con manifiesta y demostrada competencia en materia de derechos humanos y cumplir con las exigencias de honorabilidad, ética y moral que establezca la ley. Las faltas absolutas y temporales del Defensor o Defensora del Pueblo serán cubiertas de acuerdo con lo dispuesto en la ley. (Art. 280)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. Everyone may file complaints, for acts or omissions by public authorities, with the Ombudsman who shall receive and investigate them with no powers of decision, submitting to the competent organs any necessary recommendations for preventing and resolving illegalities or injustices.
2. The activity of the Ombudsman shall be independent of the contentious and gracious means foreseen in the Constitution and in the laws.
3. The Ombudsman shall be an independent organ elected by the National Assembly, for the term that the law determines.
4. The Ombudsman shall have the right to the cooperation of all citizens and of all organs and agents of the State and other private or public legal persons, as well as the right to broadcast his recommendations publicly through the media.
5. The law shall regulate the powers of the Ombudsman and the organization of his service. (Art. 21) - Portuguese1. Todos podem apresentar queixas, por acções ou omissões dos poderes públicos, ao Provedor de Justiça que as apreciará sem poder decisório, dirigindo aos órgãos competentes as recomendações necessárias para prevenir e reparar ilegalidades ou injustiças.
2. A actividade do Provedor de Justiça é independente dos meios graciosos e contenciosos previstos na Constituição e nas leis.
3. O Provedor de Justiça é um órgão independente, eleito pela Assembleia Nacional, pelo tempo que a lei determinar.
4. O Provedor de Justiça tem direito à cooperação de todos os cidadãos e de todos os órgãos e agentes do Estado e demais pessoas colectivas públicas ou privadas, bem como o direito de tornar públicas as suas recomendações pela comunicação social.
5. A lei regula a competência do Provedor de Justiça e a organização do respectivo serviço. (Art. 21)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe purposes of the establishment of the Ombudsman Commission are-
(a) to ensure that all governmental bodies are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the People; and
(b) to help in the improvement of the work of governmental bodies and the elimination of unfairness and discrimination by them; and
(c) to help in the elimination of unfair or otherwise defective legislation and practices affecting or administered by governmental bodies; and
(d) to supervise the enforcement of Division III.2 (leadership code). (Sec. 218)