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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) 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)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English(1) The Ombudsman shall be appointed by Proclamation by the President on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
… (Art. 90)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe office of the Ombudsman in existence immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution shall, until the President appoints the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice and his Deputies, and provision is otherwise made, continue as if it forms part of the Office of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice. (First Schedule, Transitional Provisions, Art. 11)
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(a) There shall be a Human Rights Commission of the Maldives.
(b) The Human Rights Commission is an independent and impartial institution. It shall promote respect for human rights impartially without favour and prejudice.
(c) The Human Rights Commission shall function as provided by the statute governing the Human Rights Commission. Such statute shall specify the responsibilities, powers, mandate, qualifications, and ethical standards of members. (Art. 189) - Dhivehi(ހ) ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގައި ހިއުމަން ރައިޓްސް ކޮމިޝަނެއް އޮންނާންވާނެއެވެ.
(ށ) ހިއުމަން ރައިޓްސް ކޮމިޝަނަކީ ވަކިފަރާތަކަށް ބުރަނުވާ، މުސްތަޤިއްލު މުއައްސަސާއެކެވެ. އަދި އެ ކޮމިޝަނުން އިންސާނީ ޙައްޤުތައް ކުރިއެރުވުމުގައި މަސައްކަތް ކުރާންވާނީ އެއްވެސް ފަރާތަކަށް ބުރަވުމެއްނެތި، ތަޢައްސުބުން އެއްކިބާވެ ތިބެގެންނެވެ.
(ނ) ހިއުމަން ރައިޓްސް ކޮމިޝަން ހިންގާނީ ހިއުމަން ރައިޓްސް ކޮމިޝަންގެ ޤާނޫނުގައި ބާޔާންގެންވާ ގޮތުގެމަތިންނެވެ. އެ ޤާނޫނުގައި، އެ ކޮމިޝަނުގެ މަސްއޫލިޔަތުތަކާއި، ބާރުތަކާއި، އެ ކޮމިޝަނުގެ މަސައްކަތުގެ ދާއިރާއާއި، އެކޮމިޝަނުގެ މެންބަރުންގެ ކިބައިގައި ހުންނަންވާނޭ ޝަރުތުތަކާއި، ސުލޫކީ މިންގަޑުތައް ކަނޑައަޅައިފައި އޮންނަންވާނެއެވެ. (ޤާނޫނުއަސާސީގެ 189 ވަނަ މާއްދާ)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English
(1) Everyone can lodge complaint with the ombudsman board (Commission for Complaints from the Public) against alleged maladministration by the Federation, including its activity as a holder of private rights, mainly for alleged violation of human rights, provided that they are affected by such maladministration and in so far as they do not or no longer have recourse to legal remedy. All such complaints must be investigated by the ombudsman board. The complainant shall be informed of the investigation's outcome and what action, if necessary, has been taken.
(2) The ombudsman board is ex officio entitled to investigate its suspicions of maladministration by the Federation including its activity as a holder of private rights, mainly of violations of human rights it assumes.
(3) For the protection and the advancement of human rights it is incumbent on the Ombudsman Board and the commissions appointed by it (Art 148h para 3) in the area of the administration of the Federation including its activity as holder of private rights
1. to visit and inspect the location of deprivation of liberty,
2. to watch and check in advisory manner the conduct of the organs authorized to exert direct administrative power and compulsion as well as
3. to check respectively visit certain institutions and programs for handicapped persons
… (Art. 148a) - German
(1) Jedermann kann sich bei der Volksanwaltschaft wegen behaupteter Missstände in der Verwaltung des Bundes einschließlich dessen Tätigkeit als Träger von Privatrechten, insbesondere wegen einer behaupteten Verletzung in Menschenrechten, beschweren, sofern er von diesen Missständen betroffen ist und soweit ihm ein Rechtsmittel nicht oder nicht mehr zur Verfügung steht. Jede solche Beschwerde ist von der Volksanwaltschaft zu prüfen. Dem Beschwerdeführer sind das Ergebnis der Prüfung sowie die allenfalls getroffenen Veranlassungen mitzuteilen.
(2) Die Volksanwaltschaft ist berechtigt, von ihr vermutete Missstände in der Verwaltung des Bundes einschließlich dessen Tätigkeit als Träger von Privatrechten, insbesondere von ihr vermutete Verletzungen in Menschenrechten, von Amts wegen zu prüfen.
(3) Zum Schutz und zur Förderung der Menschenrechte obliegt es der Volksanwaltschaft und den von ihr eingesetzten Kommissionen (Art. 148h Abs. 3), im Bereich der Verwaltung des Bundes einschließlich dessen Tätigkeit als Träger von Privatrechten
1. den Ort einer Freiheitsentziehung zu besuchen und zu überprüfen,
2. das Verhalten der zur Ausübung unmittelbarer verwaltungsbehördlicher Befehls- und Zwangsgewalt ermächtigten Organe zu beobachten und begleitend zu überprüfen sowie
3. für Menschen mit Behinderungen bestimmte Einrichtungen und Programme zu überprüfen beziehungsweise zu besuchen.
… (Art. 148a)
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
- EnglishThe Mediator [Le Mediateur] is an independent and specialized national institution which has for its mission, within the framework of the relations between the administration and the users, to defend the rights, to contribute to reinforcing the primacy of the law and to disseminate [diffuser] the principles of justice and of equity, and the values of moral behavior [moralisation] and of transparency in the managing of the administrations, of the public establishments, of the territorial collectivities and of the organs [organismes] endowed with prerogatives of public authority [puissance]. (Art. 162)
- Arabicالوسيط مؤسّسة وطنيّة مستقلّة ومتخصّصة، مهمّتها الدّفاع عن الحقوق في نطاق العلاقات بين الإدارة والمرتفقين، والإسهام في ترسيخ سيادة القانون، وإشاعة مبادئ العدل والإنصاف، وقيم التخليق والشفافية في تدبير الإدارات والمؤسسات العمومية والجماعات التّرابية والهيئات التي تمارس صلاحيات السلطة العمومية. (الفصل 162)
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) The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has the following functions—
(a) to promote awareness of and respect for human rights and freedoms at all levels of society;
(b) to promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights and freedoms;
(c) to monitor, assess and ensure observance of human rights and freedoms;
(d) to receive and consider complaints from the public and to take such action in regard to the complaints as it considers appropriate;
(e) to protect the public against abuse of power and maladministration by State and public institutions and by officers of those institutions;
(f) to investigate the conduct of any authority or person, where it is alleged that any of the human rights and freedoms set out in the Declaration of Rights has been violated by that authority or person;
(g) to secure appropriate redress, including recommending the prosecution of offenders, where human rights or freedoms have been violated;
(h) to direct the Commissioner-General of Police to investigate cases of suspected criminal violations of human rights or freedoms and to report to the Commission on the results of any such investigation;
(i) to recommend to Parliament effective measures to promote human rights and freedoms;
(j) to conduct research into issues relating to human rights and freedoms and social justice; and
(k) to visit and inspect—
(i) prisons, places of detention, refugee camps and related facilities; and
(ii) places where mentally disordered or intellectually handicapped persons are detained;
in order to ascertain the conditions under which persons are kept there, and to make recommendations regarding those conditions to the Minister responsible for administering the law relating to those places.
(2) The Commissioner-General of Police must comply with any directive given to him or her by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission under subsection (1)(h). (Sec. 243)