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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 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
- English1. The human rights and freedoms enshrined in this Chapter7 shall be respected and upheld by the executive, legislature, judiciary and all organs of the Government and its agencies and, where applicable to them, by all natural and legal persons in Malawi and shall be enforceable in the manner prescribed in this Chapter.
2. Any person or group of persons, natural or legal, with sufficient interest in the promotion, protection and enforcement of rights under this Chapter shall be entitled to the assistance of the courts, the Ombudsman, the Human Rights Commission and other organs of the Government to ensure the promotion, protection and enforcement of those rights and the redress of any grievances in respect of those rights. (Sec. 15)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English(1) The South African Human Rights Commission must—
(a) promote respect for human rights and a culture of human rights;
(b) promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights; and
(c) monitor and assess the observance of human rights in the Republic.
(2) The South African Human Rights Commission has the powers, as regulated by national legislation, necessary to perform its functions, including the power—
(a) to investigate and to report on the observance of human rights;
(b) to take steps to secure appropriate redress where human rights have been violated;
(c) to carry out research; and
(d) to educate.
… (Sec. 184)
National Human Rights Bodies
- 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
- 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
- English
A National Council of the Rights of Man is a consultative organ placed along side the President of the Republic.
The Council enjoys administrative and financial autonomy. (Art. 211) - Arabic
المجلس الوطني لحقوق الإنسان هيئة استشارية لدى رئيس الجمهورية.
يتمتع المجلس بالاستقلالية الإدارية والمالية. (المــادة 211) - French
Le Conseil National des Droits de l'Homme est un organe consultatif placé auprès du Président de la République.
Le Conseil jouit de l’autonomie administrative et financière. (Art. 211)
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
- English1. Everyone may file complaints, for acts or omissions by public authorities, with the Ombudsman who shall receive and investigate them with no powers of decision, submitting to the competent organs any necessary recommendations for preventing and resolving illegalities or injustices.
2. The activity of the Ombudsman shall be independent of the contentious and gracious means foreseen in the Constitution and in the laws.
3. The Ombudsman shall be an independent organ elected by the National Assembly, for the term that the law determines.
4. The Ombudsman shall have the right to the cooperation of all citizens and of all organs and agents of the State and other private or public legal persons, as well as the right to broadcast his recommendations publicly through the media.
5. The law shall regulate the powers of the Ombudsman and the organization of his service. (Art. 21) - Portuguese1. Todos 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 ilegalidades ou injustiças.
2. A actividade do Provedor de Justiça é independente dos meios graciosos e contenciosos previstos na Constituição e nas leis.
3. O Provedor de Justiça é um órgão independente, eleito pela Assembleia Nacional, pelo tempo que a lei determinar.
4. O Provedor de Justiça tem direito à cooperação de todos os cidadãos e de todos os órgãos e agentes do Estado e demais pessoas colectivas públicas ou privadas, bem como o direito de tornar públicas as suas recomendações pela comunicação social.
5. A lei regula a competência do Provedor de Justiça e a organização do respectivo serviço. (Art. 21)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Ombudsman is an independent authority created within the sphere of the National Congress operating with full autonomy and without receiving instructions from any other authority. The mission of the Ombudsman is the defense and protection of human rights and other rights, guarantees and interests sheltered under this Constitution and the laws, in the face of deeds, acts or omissions of the Administration; as well as the control of public administrative functions.
The Ombudsman has capacity to be a party in a lawsuit. He is appointed and removed by Congress with the vote of two-thirds of the members present of each House.
… (Sec. 86) - SpanishEl Defensor del Pueblo es un órgano independiente instituido en el ámbito del Congreso de la Nación, que actuará con plena autonomía funcional, sin recibir instrucciones de ninguna autoridad. Su misión es la defensa y protección de los derechos humanos y demás derechos, garantías e intereses tutelados en esta Constitución y las leyes, ante hechos, actos u omisiones de la Administración; y el control del ejercicio de las funciones administrativas públicas.
El Defensor del Pueblo tiene legitimación procesal. Es designado y removido por el Congreso con el voto de las dos terceras partes de miembros presentes de cada una de las Cámaras.
… (Art. 86)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English
(1) There shall be established the Office of the Ombudsman.
…
(5) The Ombudsman shall:
(a) Investigate complaints regarding allegations or outright violations against basic rights and freedoms, abuse of power, unfair behavior, mercilessness, lack of clemency, indiscipline or disrespect towards a person that lives in Somalia by an officer who works at the various levels of government, an apparently unfair behavior, or act in a corrupt manner, or a behavior by an officer deemed as illegal by a democratic society or regarded as mischief or injustice.
… (Art. 111J) - Somali
(1) Waxaa la dhisayaa xafiiska Gardoonka Dadweynaha.
…
(5) Adeegaha Gardoorka Dadweynaha waa in uu:
(a) Baaraa cabashooyinka ku saabsan eedeyn ama xadgudub muuqda oo loo geysto xuquuqda iyo xorriyaadka aasaasiga ah, ku-xadgudub awoodeed, hab-dhaqan caddaalad-darro, naxariis-darro, u-turid la’aan ama edeb-darro/ixtiraam la’aan ah oo qof deggan Soomaaliya uu kula kaco sarkaal Dawladda uga shaqeeya heerarkeeda kala duwan, hab-dhaqan uu ka muuqdo caddaalad darro, ama musuq-maasuq ama hab-dhaqanka sarkaalkaasi sameeyo oo bulsho dimuqraaddi ah ay si habboon ugu aragto in uu yahay mid sharci-darro, dulmi ama xaq-darro ah;
... (Qodobka 111J.)