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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
- EnglishThe Ombudsman receives the complaints and conducts the inquiries concerning the faults of administration and of the violations of the rights of citizens committed by the agents of the public function and of the judiciary and makes recommendations on that subject to the competent authorities. He also assures a mediation between the Administration and the citizens and between the ministries and the Administration and plays the role of an observer in what [en ce qui] concerns the functioning of the public administration.
The organization and the functioning of his service are established by the law. (Art. 243) - KirundiUmuhuza w’abanyagihugu na Leta arakira ibirego vy’abamwituye agatohoza ivyerekeye amakosa yakozwe mu gutunganya ivy’igihugu n’ugurtyoza agateka k’abanyagihugu vyakozwe n’abakozi ba Leta n’abakora mu vy’ubucamanza, ibikwiye gukosorwa akabimenyesha abategetsi babifitiye ububasha. Arahuza kandi abajejwe intwaro n’abanyagihugu, ubushikiranganji n’izindi nzego z’ubutegetsi kandi agashinga ijisho ingene inzego nshingwantwaro zikora.
Ingene imirimo y’Umuhuza w’abanyagihugu na Leta iringanijwe n’ingene arangura amabanga ajejwe bitomorwa n’Ibwirizwa. (Ingingo ya 243) - FrenchL’Ombudsman reçoit les plaintes et mène des enquêtes concernant des fautes de gestion et des violations des droits des citoyens commises par des agents de la fonction publique et du judiciaire et fait des recommandations à ce sujet aux autorités compétentes. Il assure également une médiation entre l’Administration et les citoyens et entre les ministères et l’Administration et joue le rôle d’observateur en ce qui concerne le fonctionnement de l’administration publique.
L’organisation et le fonctionnement de son service sont fixés par la loi. (Art. 243)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe functions of the Ombudsman shall be defined and prescribed by an Act of Parliament and shall include the following:
(a) the duty to investigate complaints concerning alleged or apparent instances of violations of fundamental rights and freedoms, abuse of power, unfair, harsh, insensitive or discourteous treatment of an inhabitant of Namibia by an official in the employ of any organ of Government (whether central or local), manifest injustice, or conduct by such official which would properly be regarded as unlawful, oppressive or unfair in a democratic society;
(b) the duty to investigate complaints concerning the functioning of the Public Service Commission, administrative organs of the State, the defence force, the police force and the correctional service in so far as such complaints relate to the failure to achieve a balanced structuring of such services or equal access by all to the recruitment of such services or fair administration in relation to such services;
…
(d) the duty to investigate complaints concerning practices and actions by persons, enterprises and other private institutions where such complaints allege that violations of fundamental rights and freedoms under this Constitution have taken place;
(e) the duty and power to take appropriate action to call for the remedying, correction and reversal of instances specified in the preceding Sub-Articles through such means as are fair, proper and effective, including:
(aa) negotiation and compromise between the parties concerned;
(bb) causing the complaint and his or her finding thereon to be reported to the superior of an offending person;
(cc) referring the matter to the Prosecutor-General;
(dd) bringing proceedings in a competent Court for an interdict or some other suitable remedy to secure the termination of the offending action or conduct, or the abandonment or alteration of the offending procedures;
(ee) bringing proceedings to interdict the enforcement of such legislation or regulation by challenging its validity if the offending action or conduct is sought to be justified by subordinate legislation or regulation which is grossly unreasonable or otherwise ultra vires;
(ff) reviewing such laws as were in operation before the date of Independence in order to ascertain whether they violate the letter or the spirit of this Constitution and to make consequential recommendations to the President, the Cabinet or the Attorney-General for appropriate action following thereupon;
… (Art. 91)
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
- EnglishThe National Commission of the Rights of Man has for its mission:
- to formulate opinions for the Government on the questions relative to the Rights of Man and including the situation [condition] of women, the rights of the child and of the handicapped;
- to assist the Government and the other national and international institutions concerning all questions relative to the Rights of Man in Chad in conformity with the Charter of the Rights of Man and of the Fundamental Freedoms.
- to participate in the revision of the legislation in force and in the elaboration of new norms relative to the Rights of Man, with a view to the construction of [the] State of Law and to the reinforcement of democracy;
- to proceed with inquiries, studies [and] publications relative to the Rights of Man;
- to advise the Government concerning the ratification of international juridical instruments relative to torture [and] to inhuman and degrading treatment. (Art. 172) - Arabicتقضي مهمة اللجنة الوطنية لحقوق الإنسان:
- بالتقدم بآراء للحكومة في المسائل المتعلقة بحقوق الإنسان ووضع المرأة وحقوق الطفل وذوي الإعاقة؛
- مساعدة الحكومة والمؤسسات الوطنية والدولية الأخرى فيما يتعلق بكافة المسائل المتصلة بحقوق الإنسان في تشاد وفقاً لميثاق حقوق الإنسان والحريات الأساسية.
- المشاركة في تنقيح التشريعات السارية وفي صياغة معايير جديدة بشأن جل ما يتعلق بحقوق الإنسان من أجل بناء دولة القانون وتعزيز الديمقراطية؛
- إجراء تحقيقات ودراسات وإصدار منشورات في مجال حقوق الإنسان
- إسداء المشورة للحكومة في إطار التصديق على صكوك قانونية دولية تتعلق بالتعذيب والمعاملة غير الإنسانية والمهينة. (المادة 172) - FrenchLa Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme a pour mission de:
- formuler des avis au Gouvernement sur les questions relatives aux droits de l'Homme, y compris la condition de la femme, les droits de l'enfant et des handicapés;
- assister le Gouvernement et les autres institutions nationales et internationales pour toutes les questions relatives aux droits de l'Homme au Tchad en conformité avec la Charte des Droits de l'Homme et des Libertés Fondamentales;
- participer à la révision de la législation en vigueur et à l'élaboration de nouvelles normes relatives aux droits de l'Homme, en vue de la construction de l'Etat de droit et du renforcement de la démocratie;
- procéder à des enquêtes, études, publications relatives aux droits de l'Homme
- aviser le Gouvernement sur les ratifications des instruments juridiques internationaux relatifs à la torture, au traitement inhumain et dégradant. (Art. 172)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe National Commission of the Rights of Man is a monitoring organ [organe de suivi] of the promotion and of the protection of the rights of man. (Art. 215)
- FrenchLa Commission nationale des droits de l’homme est un organe de suivi de la promotion et de la protection des droits de l’homme. (Art. 215)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe Commission shall perform the following functions –
a. monitor the state of human rights throughout Lesotho;
b. monitor the human rights situation of detainees;
c. investigate violations of human rights and, if necessary, be responsible for instituting proceedings against such violation in the courts of law;
d. sensitise the public on its work, the nature and meaning of human rights;
e. develop and deliver education and training programmes as necessary to the general public;
f. submit opinions, recommendations, propositions and reports to public institutions on human rights issues, using the media and other means;
g. advocate for ratification, and recommend the domestication of international and regional human rights instruments;
h. promote and monitor the harmonisation of national laws and practices with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by Lesotho;
i. develop and maintain working relations with organisations and representatives of civil society in Lesotho;
j. work in cooperation with the United Nations, regional mechanisms, national human rights institutions of other countries, in the areas of the promotion and protection of human rights, and
k. undertake any other activities or responsibilities that are consistent with the spirit of the promotion and protection of human rights. (Sec. 133F)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English
The Parliament shall:
...
14. appoint and release from duty: the Protector of Human Rights and Liberties;
... (Art. 82) - Montenegrin
Skupština:
...
14) imenuje i razrješava: zaštitnika ljudskih prava i sloboda;
... (Član 82)
National Human Rights Bodies
- EnglishThe powers of the Office of the Public Defender, in addition to those established in the Constitution and the law, are the following:
1. To file actions of Unconstitutionality, of Liberty, of Constitutional Protection, of Protection of Privacy, Popular actions, actions for Compliance and the direct appeal of nullity, without the requirement of having a mandate.
2. To present bills and modifications of laws, decrees and non-judicial resolutions in matters of its competence.
3. To investigate, on its own or at the request of a party, the acts or omissions that imply violations of rights, individual and collective, that are established in the Constitution, laws and international instruments, and request that the Public Ministry initiate the corresponding legal actions.
4. To request information from the authorities and public servants with respect to the investigations that the Public Defender is carrying out, to which no objection may be posed.
5. To formulate recommendations, reminders of legal duties, and suggestions for the immediate adoption of corrective measures for all the organs and institutions of the State, and to issue public censure for acts or behavior contrary to these formulations.
6. To have free access to the center of detention and prisons, to which no one may pose an objection.
7. To exercise its functions without interruption of any kind, even in the case of a declaration of a state of emergency.
8. To attend to the persons who request its services promptly and without discrimination.
9. To draft the regulations needed for the exercise of its functions. (Art. 222) - SpanishSon atribuciones de la Defensoría del Pueblo, además de las que establecen la Constitución y la ley:
1. Interponer las acciones de Inconstitucionalidad, de Libertad, de Amparo Constitucional, de Protección de Privacidad, Popular, de Cumplimiento y el recurso directo de nulidad, sin necesidad de mandato.
2. Presentar proyectos de ley y proponer modificaciones a leyes, decretos y resoluciones no judiciales en materia de su competencia.
3. Investigar, de oficio o a solicitud de parte, los actos u omisiones que impliquen violación de los derechos, individuales y colectivos, que se establecen en la Constitución, las leyes y los instrumentos internacionales, e instar al Ministerio Público al inicio de las acciones legales que correspondan.
4. Solicitar a las autoridades y servidores públicos información respecto a las investigaciones que realice la Defensoría del Pueblo, sin que puedan oponer reserva alguna.
5. Formular recomendaciones, recordatorios de deberes legales, y sugerencias para la inmediata adopción de correctivos y medidas a todos los órganos e instituciones del Estado, y emitir censura pública por actos o comportamientos contrarios a dichas formulaciones.
6. Acceder libremente a los centros de detención e internación, sin que pueda oponerse objeción alguna.
7. Ejercer sus funciones sin interrupción de ninguna naturaleza, aun en caso de declaratoria de estado de excepción.
8. Asistir con prontitud y sin discriminación a las personas que soliciten sus servicios.
9. Elaborar los reglamentos necesarios para el ejercicio de sus funciones. (Art. 222)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English1. The Ombudsman shall be an independent organ in charge of examining and seeking to settle citizens’ complaints against public bodies, certifying the conformity of the acts with the law, preventing and initiating the whole process to remedy injustice.
2. Citizens may present complaints concerning acts or omissions on the part of public bodies to the Ombudsman, who shall undertake a review, without power of decision, and shall forward recommendations to the competent organs as deemed necessary.
3. The Ombudsman shall be appointed by the National Parliament through absolute majority votes of its members for a term of office of four years.
… (Sec. 27) - Tetum1. Provedór Direitus Umanus no Justisa nian, nu’udar órgaun independente ida-ne’ebé iha knaar atu haree no buka hatán sidadaun sira-nia problema hasoru podér públiku, hodi haree loloos hahalok sira-ne’e tuir duni lei, no halo prevensaun no hahú prosesu tomak hodi haburas fali justisa.
2. Sidadaun sira bele hato’o sira-nia kesar ba Provedór Direitus Umanus no Justisa nian konaba podér públiku sira-nia hahalok eh omisaun, biar la iha kbiit atu hakotu-lia, nia bele hato’o lia-menon ba órgaun kompetente sira.
3. Maioria absoluta hosi Parlamentu Nasionál maka hili Provedór Direitus Umanus no Justisa nian atu hala’o knaar iha tinan haat nia laran.
… (Art. 27) - Portuguese1. O Provedor de Direitos Humanos e Justiça é um órgão independente que tem por função apreciar e procurar satisfazer as queixas dos cidadãos contra os poderes públicos, podendo verificar a conformidade dos actos com a lei, bem como prevenir e iniciar todo o processo para a reparação das injustiças.
2. Os cidadãos podem apresentar queixas por acções ou omissões dos poderes públicos ao Provedor de Direitos Humanos e Justiça, que as apreciará, sem poder decisório, dirigindo aos órgãos competentes as recomendações necessárias.
3. O Provedor de Direitos Humanos e Justiça é eleito pelo Parlamento Nacional, por maioria absoluta dos Deputados, para um mandato de quatro anos.
… (Art. 27)
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)