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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
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
France
- EnglishThe Defender of Rights shall ensure the due respect of rights and freedoms by state administrations, territorial communities, public legal entities, as well as by all bodies carrying out a public service mission or by those that the Institutional Act decides fall within his remit.
Referral may be made to the Defender of Rights, in the manner determined by an Institutional Act, by every person who considers his rights to have been infringed by the operation of a public service or of a body mentioned in the first paragraph. He may act without referral.
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The Defender of Rights shall be appointed by the President of the Republic for a six-year, non-renewable term,
… (1958 Constitution, Art. 71-1) - FrenchLe Défenseur des droits veille au respect des droits et libertés par les administrations de l'État, les collectivités territoriales, les établissements publics, ainsi que par tout organisme investi d'une mission de service public, ou à l'égard duquel la loi organique lui attribue des compétences.
Il peut être saisi, dans les conditions prévues par la loi organique, par toute personne s'estimant lésée par le fonctionnement d'un service public ou d'un organisme visé au premier alinéa. Il peut se saisir d'office.
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Le Défenseur des droits est nommé par le Président de la République pour un mandat de six ans non renouvelable,
… (Constitution 1958, Art. 71-1)
National Human Rights Bodies
Sierra Leone
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament shall, not later than twelve months from the commencement of this Constitution, or so soon thereafter as Parliament may determine, by an Act of Parliament establish the office of Ombudsman.
(2) The Act of Parliament shall define the functions and duties of the Ombudsman, which shall include the investigation of any action taken or omitted to be taken by or on behalf of—
a. any department or Ministry of Government;
b. any statutory corporation or institutions of higher learning or education, set up entirely or partly out of public funds;
c. any member of the Public Service, being an action taken or omitted to be taken in the exercise of the administrative functions of that department, ministry, statutory corporation, institution or person. (Sec. 146)
National Human Rights Bodies
Colombia
- EnglishThe Procurator General of the Nation will exercise the following functions directly:
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4. Exhorting the Congress so that it adopts the laws that assure the promotion, exercise, and protection of human rights, and demanding their fulfillment from the competent authorities.
… (Art. 278) - SpanishEl Procurador General de la Nación ejercerá directamente las siguientes funciones:
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4. Exhortar al Congreso para que expida las leyes que aseguren la promoción, el ejercicio y la protección de los derechos humanos, y exigir su cumplimiento a las autoridades competentes.
… (Art. 278)
National Human Rights Bodies
Paraguay
- EnglishThe Defender of the People is a parliamentary commissioner whose functions are the defense of the human rights, the channeling of popular complaints and the protection of the community interests. In no case will he have judicial function or executive competence. (Art. 276)
- SpanishEl Defensor del Pueblo es un comisionado parlamentario cuyas funciones son la defensa de los derechos humanos, la canalización de reclamos populares y la profesión de los intereses comunitarios. En ningún caso tendrá función judicial ni competencia ejecutiva. (Art. 276)
National Human Rights Bodies
South Sudan
- English1. There shall be established an independent commission to be known as the Human Rights Commission.
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4. The Commission shall have power to issue summons or other orders requiring representatives of relevant institutions and other bodies at all levels of government or persons or organizations to appear before it or produce any document or record relevant to any investigation by the Commission.
5. The Commission may request a government representative or any person or organization to take part in its deliberations if and when necessary. (Art. 145)
National Human Rights Bodies
Colombia
- EnglishThe Public Ministry shall be made up of the General Prosecutor of the Nation, the Ombudsman, the assigned public prosecutors, and the agents of the Public Ministry before the legal authorities, as well as by municipal representatives and other official determined by an Act. It is the responsibility of the Public Ministry to defend and promote human rights, to protect the public interest, and to oversee the official conduct of those who perform public functions. (Art. 118)
- SpanishEl Ministerio Público será ejercido por el Procurador General de la Nación, por el Defensor del Pueblo, por los procuradores delegados y los agentes del ministerio público, ante las autoridades jurisdiccionales, por los personeros municipales y por los demás funcionarios que determine la ley. Al Ministerio Público corresponde la guarda y promoción de los derechos humanos, la protección del interés público y la vigilancia de la conducta oficial de quienes desempeñan funciones públicas. (Art. 118)
National Human Rights Bodies
Mauritania
- EnglishThe National Commission of the Rights of Man is the independent consultative Institution of promotion and of protection of the Rights of Man.
The composition, the organization and the functioning of the National Commission of the Rights of Man are established by an organic law. (Art. 97) - Arabicاللّجنة الوطنية لحقوق الإنسان هيئة استشارية مستقلة هدفها تعزيز حقوق الإنسان و حمايتها.
يتمّ تحديد تكوين اللّجنة الوطنية لحقوق الإنسان وتنظيمها وسير عملها بموجب قانون أساسي. (المادّة 97) - FrenchLa Commission nationale des Droits de l’Homme est l’institution consultative indépendante de promotion et de protection des Droits de l’Homme.
La composition, l’organisation et le fonctionnement de la Commission nationale des Droits de l’Homme sont fixés par une loi organique. (Art. 97)
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)
National Human Rights Bodies
North Macedonia
- English…
The Public Attorney protects the constitutional rights and legal rights of citizens when these are violated by bodies of state administration and by other bodies and organizations with public mandates. The Public Attorney shall give particular attention to safeguarding the principles of non-discrimination and equitable representation of members of communities within public bodies, units of local self government, and in other areas of public life. (Art. 77)6 - Macedonian…
Народниот правобранител ги штити уставните и законските права на граѓаните што им се повредени од органите на државната управа и од други органи и организации што имаат јавни овластувања. Народниот правобранител посветува особено внимание за заштита на начелата на недискриминација соодветна и правична застапеност на припадниците на заедниците во органите на државната власт, органите на единиците на локалната самоуправа и во јавните установи и служби. (Член 77)