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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) 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- EnglishThe People Defender’s Office is charged with the furtherance, defense and oversight of the rights and guarantees established under this Constitution and international treaties on human rights, in addition to defending the legitimate, collective and diffuse interest of the citizens.
The People Defender’s Office shall act under the direction and responsibility of the People Defender, who shall be designated to serve for a single seven-year term. The People Defender must be a Venezuelan national over the age of 30 years, with manifest and proven competence in the field of human rights, and must meet with such requirements as to honesty, ethics and morality as may be established by law. If the People Defender is temporarily or permanently unavailable to serve, the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with applicable provisions of law. (Art. 280) - SpanishLa Defensoría del Pueblo tiene a su cargo la promoción, defensa y vigilancia de los derechos y garantías establecidos en esta Constitución y los tratados internacionales sobre derechos humanos, además de los intereses legítimos, colectivos y difusos, de los ciudadanos.
La Defensoría del Pueblo actuará bajo la dirección y responsabilidad del Defensor o Defensora del Pueblo, quien será designado o designada por un único período de siete años.
Para ser Defensor o Defensora del Pueblo se requiere ser venezolano o venezolana, mayor de treinta años, con manifiesta y demostrada competencia en materia de derechos humanos y cumplir con las exigencias de honorabilidad, ética y moral que establezca la ley. Las faltas absolutas y temporales del Defensor o Defensora del Pueblo serán cubiertas de acuerdo con lo dispuesto en la ley. (Art. 280)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe law shall specify the independent national councils, including the National Council for Human Rights, the National Council for Women, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, and the National Council for Disabled Persons. The law shall state the composition, mandates, and guarantees for the independence and neutrality of their respective members. Each council shall have the right to report to the competent authorities any violations pertaining to their fields of work.
... (Art. 214) - Arabicيحدّد القانون المجالس القومية المستقلة، ومنها المجلس القومى لحقوق الإنسان، والمجلس القومى للمرأة، والمجلس القومى للطفولة والأمومة، والمجلس القومى للأشخاص ذوى الإعاقة، ويبين القانون كيفية تشكيل كل منها، واختصاصاتها، وضمانات استقلال وحياد أعضائها، ولها الحق فى إبلاغ السلطات العامة عن أى انتهاك يتعلق بمجال عملها.
... (المادّة 214)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishI. The Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan is competent to determine the following matters:
…
6. the election of a commissioner for human rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan upon presentation by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
… (Art. 95) - AzerbaijaniI. Azərbaycan Respublikası Milli Məclisinin səlahiyyətinə aşağıdakı məsələlərin həlli aiddir:
...
6) Azərbaycan Respublikası Prezidentinin təqdimatı ilə Azərbaycan Respublikasının İnsan hüquqları üzrə müvəkkilinin seçilməsi;
… (Maddə 95)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. The Ombudsman shall be an independent public body whose purpose shall be to defend the rights, freedoms and guarantees of citizens ensuring, by informal means, the justice and legality of the public administration.
2. The Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman shall be elected by the National Assembly on the decision of two thirds of Members in full exercise of their office.
…
4. Citizens and corporate bodies may present the Ombudsman with complaints concerning acts or omissions by public authorities which they shall consider, with no powers of decision, submitting the necessary recommendations for the prevention and remedying of injustices to the appropriate bodies.
5. The activity of the Ombudsman shall be independent of the means for ruling on appeals or disputes provided for in the Constitution and the law.
6. It shall be the duty of public administration bodies and agents, citizens and other public collective bodies to cooperate with the work of the Ombudsman.
… (Art. 192) - Portuguese1. O Provedor de Justiça é uma entidade pública independente que tem por objecto a defesa dos direitos, liberdades e garantias dos cidadãos, assegurando, através de meios informais, a justiça e a legalidade da actividade da Administração Pública.
2. O Provedor de Justiça e o Provedor de Justiça-Adjunto são eleitos pela Assembleia Nacional, por deliberação de maioria absoluta dos Deputados em efectividade de funções.
...
4. Os cidadãos e as pessoas colectivas podem apresentar à Provedoria de Justiça queixas por acções ou omissões dos poderes públicos, que as aprecia sem poder decisório, dirigindo aos órgãos competentes as recomendações necessárias para prevenir e reparar as injustiças.
5. A actividade do Provedor de Justiça é independente dos meios graciosos e contenciosos previstos na Constituição e na lei.
6. Os órgãos e agentes da administração pública, os cidadãos e demais pessoas colectivas públicas têm o dever de cooperar com o Provedor de Justiça na prossecução dos seus fins.
... (Art. 192)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishA National Commission of the Rights of Man is created. It is independent. It is only subject to the Constitution and to the law.
The composition, the organization and the functioning of the National Commission of the Rights of Man are established by an organic law. (Art. 152) - FrenchIl est créé une Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme. Elle est indépendante. Elle n’est soumise qu’à la Constitution et à la loi.
La composition, l’organisation et le fonctionnement de la Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme sont fixés par une loi organique. (Art. 152)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Authorised Human Rights Representative of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine exercises parliamentary control over the observance of constitutional human and citizens' rights and freedoms. (Art. 101)
- UkrainianПарламентський контроль за додержанням конституційних прав і свобод людини і громадянина здійснює Уповноважений Верховної Ради України з прав людини. (Стаття 101)