SEARCH DATABASE
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.
ABOUT 1359 RESULTS
National Human Rights Bodies
Uganda
- English1. The commission shall have the following functions-
a. to investigate, at its own initiative or on a complaint made by any person or group of persons against the violation of any human right;
b. to visit jails, prisons, and places of detention or related facilities with a view to assessing and inspecting conditions of the inmates and make recommendations;
c. to establish a continuing programme of research, education and information to enhance respect of human rights;
d. to recommend to Parliament effective measures to promote human rights, including provision of compensation to victims of violations of human rights or their families;
e. to create and sustain within society the awareness of the provisions of this Constitution as the fundamental law of the people of Uganda;
f. to educate and encourage the public to defend this Constitution at all times against all forms of abuse and violation;
g. to formulate, implement and oversee programmes intended to inculcate in the citizens of Uganda awareness of their civic responsibilities and an appreciation of their rights and obligations as free people;
h. to monitor the Government's compliance with international treaty and convention obligations on human rights; and
i. to perform such other functions as may be provided by law.
… (Art. 52)
National Human Rights Bodies
Ghana
- EnglishThe functions of the Commission shall be defined and prescribed by Act of Parliament and shall include the duty—
(a) to investigate complaints of violations of fundamental rights and freedoms, injustice, corruption, abuse of power and unfair treatment of any person by a public officer in the exercise of his official duties;
(b) to investigate complaints concerning the functioning of the Public Services Commission, the administrative organs of the State, the Armed Forces, the Police Service and the Prisons Service in so far as complaints relate to the failure to achieve a balanced structuring of those services or equal access by all to the recruitment of those services or fair administration in relation to those services;
(c) to investigate complaints concerning practices and actions by persons, private enterprises and other institutions where those complaints allege violations of fundamental rights and freedoms under this Constitution;
(d) to take appropriate action to call for the remedying, correction and reversal of instances specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this clause through such means as are fair, proper and effective,
…
(f) to educate the public as to human rights and freedoms by such means as the Commissioner may decide, including publications, lectures and symposia; and
(g) to report annually to Parliament on the performance of its functions. (Art. 218)
National Human Rights Bodies
Zimbabwe
- EnglishThe independent Commissions have the following general objectives in addition to those given to them individually—
(a) to support and entrench human rights and democracy;
… (Sec. 233)
National Human Rights Bodies
Portugal
- English1. Citizens may submit complaints against actions or omissions by the public authorities to the Ombudsman, who shall assess them without the power to take decisions and shall send the competent entities and organs the recommendations needed to prevent or make good any injustices.
…
3. The Ombudsman is an independent entity and the Assembly of the Republic shall appoint him for the period laid down by law.
… (Art. 23) - Portuguese1. Os cidadãos 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 injustiças.
…
3. O Provedor de Justiça é um órgão independente, sendo o seu titular designado pela Assembleia da República pelo tempo que a lei determinar.
… (Art. 23)
National Human Rights Bodies
Papua New Guinea
- English(1) Subject to this section and to any Organic Law made for the purposes of Subsection (7), the functions of the Ombudsman Commission are-
(a) to investigate, on its own initiative or on complaint by a person affected, any conduct on the part of-
i. any State Service or provincial service, or a member of any such service; or
ii. any other governmental body, or an officer or employee of a governmental body; or
iii. any local government body or an officer or employee of any such body; or
iv. any other body set up by statute-
A. that is wholly or mainly supported out of public moneys of Papua New Guinea; or
B. all of, or the majority of, the members of the controlling authority of which are appointed by the National Executive, or an officer of employee of any such body; and
v. any member of the personal staff of the Governor-General, a Minister or the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Opposition; or
vi. any other body or person prescribed for the purpose by an Act of the Parliament, specified by or under an Organic Law in the exercise of a power or function vested in it or him by law in cases where the conduct is or may be wrong, taking into account, amongst other things, the National Goals and Directive Principles, the Basic Rights and the Basic Social Obligations;
… (Sec. 219)
National Human Rights Bodies
Chad
- EnglishThe National Commission of the Rights of Man (CNDH) is autonomous concerning the choice of the questions that it examines by referring itself [to the matters]. The Commission is entirely free in its opinions that it transmits to the President of the Republic and of which it assures diffusion for public opinion. (Art. 173)
- Arabicاللجنة الوطنية لحقوق الإنسان (CNDH) هي مستقلة في اختيار المسائل التي تبحثها بمبادرتها الخاصة. اللجنة حرة تماماً في آرائها التي تحيلها إلى رئيس الجمهورية والتي تضمن نشرها للرأي العام. (المادة 173)
- FrenchLa Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme (CNDH) est autonome quant aux choix des questions qu'elle examine par auto-saisine. La Commission est entièrement libre de ses avis qu'elle transmet au Président de la République et dont elle assure la diffusion auprès de l'opinion publique. (Art. 173)
National Human Rights Bodies
Dominican Republic
- EnglishThe Defender of the People and his adjuncts shall be appointed by the Senate for a period of six years, from shortlists proposed by the Chamber of Deputies and shall remain in the role until they are substituted.
… (Art. 192) - SpanishEl Defensor del Pueblo y sus adjuntos serán nombrados por el Senado por un período de seis años, de ternas propuestas por la Cámara de Diputados y permanecerán en el cargo hasta que sean sustituidos.
… (Art. 192)
National Human Rights Bodies
Congo
- EnglishThe law determines the missions and establishes the organization and the functioning of the National Commission of the Rights of Man. (Art. 216)
- FrenchLa loi détermine les missions et fixe l’organisation et le fonctionnement de la Commission nationale des droits de l’homme. (Art. 216)
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
Malawi
- English...
2. Any person who claims that a right or freedom guaranteed by this Constitution has been infringed or threatened shall be entitled—
…
b. to make application to the Ombudsman or the Human Rights Commission in order to secure such assistance or advice as he or she may reasonably require.
… (Sec. 46)