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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) The national commissions, specialised organs and national councils entrusted with the responsibility to help in resolving important issues facing the country are the following:
(a) national commissions:
(i) National Commission for Human Rights;
…
(b) specialised organs:
(i) Office of the Ombudsman;
…
(2) Specific laws determine the mission, organisation and functioning of these organs.
… (Art. 140) - Kinyarwanda
Komisiyo z’Igihugu, Inzego Zihariye n’Inama z’Igihugu zishinzwe gufasha gukemura ibibazo bikomeye by’Igihugu ni izi zikurikira:
(a) Komisiyo z’Igihugu:
(i) Komisiyo y’Igihugu y’Uburenganzira bwa Muntu;
…
(b) inzego zihariye:
(i) Urwego rw’Umuvunyi;
…
(2) Amategeko yihariye ateganya inshingano, imitunganyirize n’imikorere by’izo nzego.
… (Ingingo ya 140) - French
Les commissions nationales, les organes spécialisés et les conseils nationaux chargés de contribuer à la résolution des problèmes majeurs du pays sont les suivants:
(a) les commissions nationales:
(i) la Commission nationale des Droits de la Personne;
…
(b) les organes spécialisés:
(i) l’Office de l’Ombudsman;
…
(2) Les lois spécifiques déterminent la mission, l’organisation et le fonctionnement de ces organes.
… (Art. 140)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishCitizen Power is exercised by the Republican Ethics Council, consisting of the People Defender, the General Prosecutor and the General Comptroller of the Republic. … (Art. 273)
- SpanishEl Poder Ciudadano se ejerce por el Consejo Moral Republicano integrado por el Defensor o Defensora del Pueblo, el Fiscal o Fiscala General y el Contralor o Contralora General de la República. … (Art. 273)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishTo monitor respect for human rights in Afghanistan as well as to foster and protect it, the state shall establish the Independent Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan. Every individual shall complain to this Commission about the violation of personal human rights. The Commission shall refer human rights violations of individuals to legal authorities and assist them in defense of their rights. Organization and method of operation of the Commission shall be regulated by law. (Art. 58)
- Dariدولت به منظور نظارت بر رعایت حقوق بشر در افغانستان و بهبود و حمایت از آن، كمیسیون مستقل حقوق بشر افغانستان را تأسیس می نماید. هر شخص می تواند در صورت نقض حقوق بشری خود، به این كمیسیون شكایت نماید.كمیسیون می تواند موارد نقض حقوق بشری افراد را به مراجع قانونی راجع سازد و در دفاع ازحقوق آنها مساعدت نماید. تشكیل و طرز فعالیت این كمیسیون توسط قانون تنظیم میگردد. (مادۀ ۵۸)
- Pashtoدولت په افغانستان كې د بشر د حقوقو د رعايت د څارنې، ښه والي او ملاتړ لپاره، د افغانستان د بشر د حقوقو خپلواك كمېسيون جوړوي. هر څوك كولاى شي د خپلو بشري حقوقو د نقض په صورت كې دې كمېسيون ته شكايت وكړي. كميسيون كولاى شي د افرادو د بشري حقوقو د نقض موارد، مربوطو قانوني څانگو ته راجع كړي او د هغوى له حقوقو څخه په دفاع كې مرسته وكړي. د دې كمېسيون جوړښت او د كار ډول يې د قانون له ليارې تنظيمېږي. (۵۸ ماده)
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
- 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)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Defender of the People will see to the promotion, the exercise, and the diffusion of human rights, for which he will exercise the following functions:
1. Orientating and instructing the inhabitants of the national territory and the Colombians abroad in the exercise and defense of their rights before the competent authorities or entities of a private character.
2. Disseminating the human rights and recommending the policies for teaching them.
3. Invoking the right of Habeas Corpus and interposing actions of protection [tutela], without prejudice to the right which corresponds [asiste] to interested [persons].
4. Organizing and directing the public defense in the terms that the law specifies.
5. Interposing popular actions in matters related to his competence.
6. Presenting Bills of law on matters relating to his competence.
7. Rendering reports to the Congress on the fulfillment of his functions.
8. The others that the law determines. (Art. 282) - SpanishEl Defensor del Pueblo velará por la promoción, el ejercicio y la divulgación de los derechos humanos, para lo cual ejercerá las siguientes funciones:
1. Orientar e instruir a los habitantes del territorio nacional y a los colombianos en el exterior en el ejercicio y defensa de sus derechos ante las autoridades competentes o entidades de carácter privado.
2. Divulgar los derechos humanos y recomendar las políticas para su enseñanza.
3. Invocar el derecho de Habeas Corpus e interponer las acciones de tutela, sin perjuicio del derecho que asiste a los interesados.
4. Organizar y dirigir la defensoría pública en los términos que señale la ley.
5. Interponer acciones populares en asuntos relacionados con su competencia.
6. Presentar proyectos de ley sobre materias relativas a su competencia.
7. Rendir informes al Congreso sobre el cumplimiento de sus funciones.
8. Las demás que determine la ley. (Art. 282)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Office of the Ombudsman monitors the protection of the fundamental rights and guarantees recognized in this Constitution as well as of those which are provided for by international human rights conventions and the law through the non-judicial control of the facts, acts and omissions of public servants and providers of public services and makes sure that they are observed.
The Office of the Ombudsman acts under the direction and responsibility of the Ombudsman who is appointed by the legislative branch for a period of five years during which he/she may neither be suspended nor dismissed, except by a vote of two thirds of the members of the National Assembly on one of the grounds previously determined by law. (Art. 129) - SpanishLa Defensoría del Pueblo velará por la protección de los derechos y las garantías fundamentales consagradas en esta Constitución, así como los previstos en los convenios internacionales de derechos humanos y la Ley, mediante el control no jurisdiccional de los hechos, actos u omisiones de los servidores públicos y de quienes presten servicios públicos, y actuará para que ellos se respeten.
La Defensoría del Pueblo actuará bajo la dirección y responsabilidad del Defensor del Pueblo, quien será nombrado por el Órgano Legislativo para un periodo de cinco años, dentro del cual no podrá ser suspendido ni removido, sino por el voto de dos tercios de los miembros de la Asamblea Nacional, en virtud de causas definidas previamente por la Ley. (Art. 129)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Defender of the People is an independent authority in his functions and with administrative and budgetary autonomy. He is obligated exclusively to the mandate of this Constitution and the laws. (Art. 190)
- SpanishEl Defensor del Pueblo es una autoridad independiente en sus funciones y con autonomía administrativa y presupuestaria. Se debe de manera exclusiva al mandato de esta Constitución y las leyes. (Art. 190)