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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.
ABOUT 1367 RESULTS
National Human Rights Bodies
Bolivia, Plurinational State of
- EnglishEach year, the Public Defender shall report to the Pluri-National Legislative Assembly and to the Office of Social Control concerning the situation of human rights in the country and on the management of its administration. The Public Defender may be called on at any moment by the Pluri-National Legislative Assembly or the Social Control to provide a report with respect to the exercise of its authority. (Art. 223)
- SpanishLas autoridades y los servidores públicos tienen la obligación de proporcionar a la Defensoría del Pueblo la información que solicite en relación con el ejercicio de sus funciones. En caso de no ser debidamente atendida en su solicitud, la Defensoría interpondrá las acciones correspondientes contra la autoridad, que podrá ser procesada y destituida si se demuestra el incumplimiento. (Art. 223)
National Human Rights Bodies
Finland
- EnglishThe Ombudsman shall ensure that the courts of law, the other authorities and civil servants, public employees and other persons, when the latter are performing a public task, obey the law and fulfil their obligations. In the performance of his or her duties, the Ombudsman monitors the implementation of basic rights and liberties and human rights.
… (Sec. 109) - FinnishOikeusasiamiehen tulee valvoa, että tuomioistuimet ja muut viranomaiset sekä virkamiehet, julkisyhteisön työntekijät ja muutkin julkista tehtävää hoitaessaan noudattavat lakia ja täyttävät velvollisuutensa. Tehtäväänsä hoitaessaan oikeusasiamies valvoo perusoikeuksien ja ihmisoikeuksien toteutumista.
… (109 §) - SwedishJustitieombudsmannen skall övervaka att domstolarna och andra myndigheter samt tjänstemännen, offentligt anställda arbetstagare och också andra, när de sköter offentliga uppdrag, följer lag och fullgör sina skyldigheter. Vid utövningen av sitt ämbete övervakar justitieombudsmannen att de grundläggande fri- och rättigheterna samt de mänskliga rättigheterna tillgodoses.
… (109 §)
National Human Rights Bodies
Guyana
- English(1) The functions of the Human Rights Commission are to –
(a) monitor the observance of the international instruments to which the Government accedes from time to time, including those already acceded to and specified in the Fourth Schedule;
(b) monitor and assess compliance with the rights and report the need for any amendment of the law relating thereto to the National Assembly;
(c) educate the public regarding the nature and content of the rights;
(d) make recommendations to any person or any entity, including a ministry or government department, relating to matters affecting compliance with and adoption of measures for the promotion of the rights;
(e) carry out or cause to be carried out research and studies concerning the observance of the rights and report the findings and recommendations thereon to the National Assembly;
(f) monitor and review all existing and proposed legislation, policies and measures for compliance with the rights and report the need for any amendment to any legislation to the National Assembly;
(g) investigate complaints of, or initiate investigations into, violations of the rights;
(h) resolve disputes or rectify acts or omissions by mediation, conciliation or negotiation;
(i) liaise with governmental and nongovernmental organisations, and other relevant bodies to address the complaints and concerns of persons regarding matters under its purview;
(j) take appropriate action on behalf of persons whose rights have been, are being or are likely to be violated;
(k) enlist the aid of such persons as may be necessary to give expert advice in order to facilitate its functions;
(l) establish as part of its Secretariat, such units as are necessary for, inter alia, the purpose of monitoring compliance with the laws relating to the rights, and for educating employers in the public and private sector and the general public on desirable employment practices;
(m) prepare and submit reports to the National Assembly pertaining to any convention, covenant or charter relating to the objects of the Commission; and
(n) do all other acts and things as may be necessary to facilitate the efficient discharge of the functions of the Commission.
(2) If any person alleges that any of the rights has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him or her, then, without prejudice to any other action which is lawfully available to him or her, with respect to the same matter, the Commission shall have the power to institute legal action on behalf of the complainant for redress. (Art. 212O)
National Human Rights Bodies
South Africa
- English(1) The Public Protector and the members of any Commission established by this Chapter4 must be women or men who—
(a) are South African citizens;
(b) are fit and proper persons to hold the particular office; and
(c) comply with any other requirements prescribed by national legislation.
(2) The need for a Commission established by this Chapter to reflect broadly the race and gender composition of South Africa must be considered when members are appointed.
… (Sec. 193)
National Human Rights Bodies
South Sudan
- English1. The functions of the Commission shall be to:
a. monitor the application and enforcement of the rights and freedoms enshrined in this Constitution;
b. investigate, on its own initiative, or on a complaint made by any person or group of persons, against any violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
c. visit police jails, prisons and related facilities with a view to assessing and inspecting conditions of the inmates and make recommendations to the relevant authority;
d. establish a continuing programme of research, education and information to enhance respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
e. recommend to the National Legislative Assembly effective measures to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms;
f. create and sustain within society awareness of the provisions of this Constitution as the fundamental law of the people of South Sudan;
g. educate and encourage the public to defend their human rights and fundamental freedoms against all forms of abuse and violation;
h. formulate, implement and oversee programmes intended to inculcate in the citizens awareness of their civic responsibilities and understanding of their rights and obligations as citizens;
i. monitor compliance of all levels of government with international and regional human rights treaties and conventions ratified by the Republic of South Sudan;
j. express opinion or present advice to government organs on any issue related to human rights and fundamental freedoms; and
k. perform such other function as may be prescribed by law.
… (Art. 146)
National Human Rights Bodies
Tanzania, United Republic of
- English(1) There shall be a Commission to be known as the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance whose functions shall be as prescribed in Article 130 of this Constitution.… (Art. 129)
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
Zambia
- English1. There is established the Human Rights Commission which shall have offices in the Provinces and progressively in districts.
2. The Human Rights Commission shall ensure that the Bill of Rights is upheld and protected.
3. The Human Rights Commission shall—
a. investigate and report on the observance of rights and freedoms;
b. take necessary steps to secure appropriate redress where rights and freedoms are violated;
c. endeavour to resolve a dispute through negotiation, mediation or conciliation;
d. carry out research on rights and freedoms and related matters;
e. conduct civic education on rights and freedoms; and
f. perform such other functions as prescribed. (Art. 230)
National Human Rights Bodies
Trinidad and Tobago
- English(1) Subject to this section and to sections 94 and 95, the principal function of the Ombudsman shall be to investigate any decision or recommendation made, including any advice given or recommendation made to a Minister, or any act done or omitted by any department of Government or any other authority to which this section applies, or by 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 matter in any of the following circumstances:
(a) where a complaint is duly made to the Ombudsman by any person alleging that the complainant has sustained an injustice as a result of a fault in administration;
(b) where a member of the House of Representatives requests the Ombudsman to investigate the matter 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 matter on the ground that some person or body of persons has or may have sustained such injustice.
(3) The authorities other than departments of Government to which this section applies are—
(a) local authorities or other bodies established for purposes of the public service or of Local Government;
(b) authorities or bodies the majority of whose members are appointed by the President or by a Minister or whose revenues consist wholly or mainly of moneys provided out of public funds;
(c) any authority empowered to determine the person with whom any contract shall be entered into by or on behalf of Government;
(d) such other authorities as may be prescribed. (Sec. 93)