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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) Subject to this Schedule, the Ombudsman may
(a) investigate an action taken by a public authority or the President, Vice-President, Minister, officer or member of the public authority, being action taken in the exercise of the administrative functions of the public authority in the circumstances specified in subparagraph (2);
(b) investigate an allegation of fraud or corruption in connection with the exercise by a person of a function of a public authority.
(c) assist an individual complainant in respect of legal proceedings in relation to a contravention of the provisions of the Charter9;
(d) with leave of the Court hearing proceedings relating to a contravention of the provisions of the Charter, become a party to the proceedings;
(e) initiate proceedings relating to the constitutionality of a law or of the provisions of a law.
(2)The Ombudsman shall investigate an action under sub-para-graph (1)(a)-
(a) where the Ombudsman receives a complaint from a person or body alleging that the complainant has suffered a violation of the complainant’s fundamental rights or freedoms under the Charter, or an injustice, in consequence of a fault in the administration of a public authority or has been treated harshly or oppressively by the authority or the President, Vice-President or a Minister, officer or member of the authority in the exercise of the administrative functions of the authority;
(b) where the President, Vice-President or a Minister or member of the National Assembly requests the Ombudsman to investigate the action on the ground that the person or body specified in the request-
(i) has or may have suffered a violation of the person’s or body’s fundamental rights for freedoms under the Charter, or an injustice, in consequence of a fault in the administration of a public authority or of a fault of the President or Vice-President or a Minister, officer or member of the authority in the exercise of the administrative functions of the authority;
(ii) has been treated harshly or oppressively by the authority or the President or Vice-President or a Minister, officer or member of the authority in the exercise of the administrative functions of the authority,/or on the ground that the practices or patterns of conduct of a public authority or the President or Vice-President or a Minister, officer or member of the authority in the exercise of the administrative functions of the authority appear to result in injustices or harsh, oppressive or unfair administration; or
(c) where the Ombudsman considers that it is necessary to investigate the action on the grounds specified in subsubparagraph (b), and an allegation under subparagraph (1) (b).
… (Schedule 5, Art. 1)
National Human Rights Bodies
- English
The Public Legal Defense is a permanent institution, essential to the jurisdictional function of the State, and is responsible primarily, as an expression and an instrument of the democratic regime, for the judicial guidance, the promotion of human rights, and the full and free-of-charge defense, in all levels, both judicially and extrajudicially, of individual and collective rights of the needy, under the terms of item LXXIV of article 5, of the Federal Constitution.
… (Art. 134) - Portuguese
A Defensoria Pública é instituição permanente, essencial à função jurisdicional do Estado, incumbindo-lhe, como expressão e instrumento do regime democrático, fundamentalmente, a orientação jurídica, a promoção dos direitos humanos e a defesa, em todos os graus, judicial e extrajudicial, dos direitos individuais e coletivos, de forma integral e gratuita, aos necessitados, na forma do inciso LXXIV do art. 5º desta Constituição Federal.
… (Art. 134)
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
- EnglishSubject to Article 190 herein, no derogation from the rights and freedoms enshrined in this Bill shall be made. The Bill of Rights shall be upheld, protected and applied by the Supreme Court and other competent courts; the Human Rights Commission shall monitor its application in accordance with this Constitution and the law. (Art. 10)
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
- 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
- EnglishSubject to Article 30 of this document6, the rights and freedoms set forth in this document shall not be reduced. The Constitutional Court and other competent courts shall preserve, protect and apply this document, and the Human Rights Commission shall oversee its application in the state. (Art. 66)
- Arabicمع مراعاة لنص الماده 41 من هذا الوثيقة، لايجوز الإنتقاص من الحقوق والحريات المنصوص عليه في هذة الوثيقة، وتصون المحكمة الدستورية والمحاكم المختصة الاُخري هذة الوثيقة وتحميها وتطبقها، وتراقب مفوضية حقوق الإنستن تطبيقها في الدولة. (الماده67)
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. The Peoples Advocate defends the rights, freedoms and lawful interests of individuals from unlawful acts or omissions of public administration bodies.
… (Art. 60) - Albanian
1. Avokati i Popullit mbron të drejtat, liritë dhe interesat e ligjshëm të individit nga veprimet ose mosveprimet e paligjshme e të parregullta të organeve të administratës publike.
… (Neni 60)