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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 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
- EnglishThe human person is the supreme end [fin] of society and of the State. All have the obligation to respect it and protect it.
The dignity of the human being is inviolable.
To guarantee the rights and freedoms recognized in this Constitution, the Institution of the National Commissioner of Human Rights is created.
The organization, prerogatives and attributions of the National Commissioner of Human Rights will be the object of a special law. (Art. 59) - SpanishLa persona humana es el fin supremo de la Sociedad y del Estado. Todos tienen la obligación de respetarla y protegerla. La dignidad del ser humano es inviolable. Para garantizar los derechos y libertades reconocidos en esta Constitución, créase la institución del Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos. La organización, prerrogativas y atribuciones del Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos será objeto de una Ley Especial. (Art. 59)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishAny physical or juridical person that, regarding [ante] an matter that concerns them, considers that a public organ [organismo] has not functioned or acted in accordance with the mission of public service that is assigned to it, can interpose [the] recourse of amparo before [ante] the Defender of the People. (Art. 125)
- SpanishToda persona física o jurídica que, ante un asunto que le concierne, considere que un organismo público no ha funcionado o actuado conforme a la misión de servicio público que le es asignado, puede interponer recurso de amparo ante el Defensor del Pueblo. (Art. 125)
- FrenchToute personne physique ou morale qui, dans un cas qui la concerne, estime qu'un organisme public n'a pas fonctionné ou agi conformément à la mission de service public qui lui a été assignée, peut introduire un recours en protection de ses droits devant le Défenseur du peuple. (Art. 125)
National Human Rights Bodies
- 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
- English(1) The Commission shall perform the following functions –
(a) investigate complaints concerning alleged violations of fundamental rights and freedoms under this Constitution;
(b) investigate complaints of injustice, corruption, abuse of power in office and unfair treatment of any person by a public officer in the exercise of official duties;
(c) investigate complaints concerning the functioning of any public service, service commission, administrative organ of the Government, the Armed Forces in so far as the complaints relate to the failure to achieve acceptable delivery of services or equitable access by all in the recruitment to those services or fair administration by those services;
(d) take appropriate action for the remedying, correction or reversal of instances specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) through such means as are fair, proper and effective, … (Sec. 164)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Ombudsman receives the complaints and conducts the inquiries concerning the faults of administration and of the violations of the rights of citizens committed by the agents of the public function and of the judiciary and makes recommendations on that subject to the competent authorities. He also assures a mediation between the Administration and the citizens and between the ministries and the Administration and plays the role of an observer in what [en ce qui] concerns the functioning of the public administration.
The organization and the functioning of his service are established by the law. (Art. 243) - KirundiUmuhuza w’abanyagihugu na Leta arakira ibirego vy’abamwituye agatohoza ivyerekeye amakosa yakozwe mu gutunganya ivy’igihugu n’ugurtyoza agateka k’abanyagihugu vyakozwe n’abakozi ba Leta n’abakora mu vy’ubucamanza, ibikwiye gukosorwa akabimenyesha abategetsi babifitiye ububasha. Arahuza kandi abajejwe intwaro n’abanyagihugu, ubushikiranganji n’izindi nzego z’ubutegetsi kandi agashinga ijisho ingene inzego nshingwantwaro zikora.
Ingene imirimo y’Umuhuza w’abanyagihugu na Leta iringanijwe n’ingene arangura amabanga ajejwe bitomorwa n’Ibwirizwa. (Ingingo ya 243) - FrenchL’Ombudsman reçoit les plaintes et mène des enquêtes concernant des fautes de gestion et des violations des droits des citoyens commises par des agents de la fonction publique et du judiciaire et fait des recommandations à ce sujet aux autorités compétentes. Il assure également une médiation entre l’Administration et les citoyens et entre les ministères et l’Administration et joue le rôle d’observateur en ce qui concerne le fonctionnement de l’administration publique.
L’organisation et le fonctionnement de son service sont fixés par la loi. (Art. 243)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe functions of the Ombudsman shall be defined and prescribed by an Act of Parliament and shall include the following:
(a) the duty to investigate complaints concerning alleged or apparent instances of violations of fundamental rights and freedoms, abuse of power, unfair, harsh, insensitive or discourteous treatment of an inhabitant of Namibia by an official in the employ of any organ of Government (whether central or local), manifest injustice, or conduct by such official which would properly be regarded as unlawful, oppressive or unfair in a democratic society;
(b) the duty to investigate complaints concerning the functioning of the Public Service Commission, administrative organs of the State, the defence force, the police force and the correctional service in so far as such complaints relate to the failure to achieve a balanced structuring of such services or equal access by all to the recruitment of such services or fair administration in relation to such services;
…
(d) the duty to investigate complaints concerning practices and actions by persons, enterprises and other private institutions where such complaints allege that violations of fundamental rights and freedoms under this Constitution have taken place;
(e) the duty and power to take appropriate action to call for the remedying, correction and reversal of instances specified in the preceding Sub-Articles through such means as are fair, proper and effective, including:
(aa) negotiation and compromise between the parties concerned;
(bb) causing the complaint and his or her finding thereon to be reported to the superior of an offending person;
(cc) referring the matter to the Prosecutor-General;
(dd) bringing proceedings in a competent Court for an interdict or some other suitable remedy to secure the termination of the offending action or conduct, or the abandonment or alteration of the offending procedures;
(ee) bringing proceedings to interdict the enforcement of such legislation or regulation by challenging its validity if the offending action or conduct is sought to be justified by subordinate legislation or regulation which is grossly unreasonable or otherwise ultra vires;
(ff) reviewing such laws as were in operation before the date of Independence in order to ascertain whether they violate the letter or the spirit of this Constitution and to make consequential recommendations to the President, the Cabinet or the Attorney-General for appropriate action following thereupon;
… (Art. 91)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Republican Ethic Council shall promote all types of teaching activities designed to contribute to the understanding and study of this Constitution; love for the native land, civic and democratic virtues and the transcendental values of the Republic; and observance of and respect for human rights. (Art. 278)
- SpanishEl Consejo Moral Republicano promoverá todas aquellas actividades pedagógicas dirigidas al conocimiento y estudio de esta Constitución, al amor a la patria, a las virtudes cívicas y democráticas, a los valores trascendentales de la República y a la observancia y respeto de los derechos humanos. (Art. 278)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English(1) The National Assembly shall elect an Ombudsman, who shall defend the rights and freedoms of the citizens.
(2) The powers and activities of the Ombudsman shall be regulated by a law. (Art. 91a) - Bulgarian(1) Народното събрание избира омбудсман, който се застъпва за правата и свободите на гражданите.
(2) Правомощията и дейността на омбудсмана се уреждат със закон. (Чл. 91а)