ALBANIA

According to the Article 122 of the Albanian Constitution, the European convention is an integral part of the Albanian legislation system and has the same legal effects as the national legislation

AMSTERDAM

Yes

ANDORRA

La Convention de sauvegarde des Droits de l’Homme et des Libertés fondamentales occupe un rang supérieur dans la hiérarchie des normes juridiques à celui des lois nationales. Ainsi, dans l’actuel ordre juridique andorran, la constitution est la norme suprême (art. 3.1 de la Constitution de la Principauté d’Andorre, dorénavant CPA). Aucune disposition d’un traité international ou de tout autre compromis international ne peut la contredire. Il convient préciser que l’article 5 de la CPA prévoit que la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’Homme de 1948 est en vigueur à la Principauté d’Andorre, lui conférant ainsi une valeur constitutionnelle. Se trouvent aussi intégrés dans l’ordre juridique andorran, au même niveau que la dite Déclaration, les Principes de droit international public universellement reconnus.

Pour ce qui est de la place occupée par les Traités internationaux, et en particulier par la Convention de sauvegarde des Droits de l’Homme et des Libertés fondamentales, l’article 4.1 de la CPA dispose que les traités et accords internationaux ne peuvent être dérogés ou modifiés par une loi. Par conséquent, et selon le principe du parallélisme des normes qui prévoit qu’une norme juridique ne peut être modifiée ou dérogée que par une norme de même rang, les instruments internationaux occupent un rang inférieur à la CPA mais supérieur aux lois nationales.

En outre, le système juridique andorran suit la conception doctrinale moniste selon laquelle le droit interne et le droit international sont des manifestations d’un même ordre juridique, et les normes y sont subordonnées entre elles. Concrètement la Constitution à l’article 4.1 prévoit l’incorporation du droit international dans la législation interne dés sa publication au bulletin officiel de l’État (article 23.1 et 2 de la Llei qualificada reguladora de l’activitat de l’Estat en matèria de Tractats du 19 décembre 1996). Ainsi la publication officielle d’un instrument international comme la Convention de sauvegarde des Droits de l’Homme et des Libertés fondamentales (publiée au BOPA numéro 83 du 22 décembre 1995) introduit le texte dans l’ordre juridique andorran, sans avoir à le transposer.

AUSTRIA

Yes

BELGIUM

La Convention européenne des droits de l’Homme n’a pas été transposée en tant que telle en droit belge.

La Constitution belge reprend la plupart des droits et libertés garantis par la Convention. Les cours et tribunaux belges contrôlent l’application des articles de la Convention ayant un effet direct.

CATALONIA

Spain has been a member of the Council of Europe since the 24^th November 1977. It ratified the Convention of protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms the 26^th September 1979. The 1^st July 1981 it acknowledged the right of individual application before the European Human Rights Court. Is has also ratified the additional protocol and the 6^th protocol, which add new fundamental rights to those guaranteed by the Convention. Spain has signed, but not yet ratified, the protocols number 4, 7, and 13 of the Convention. The proceedings leading to the ratification the 14^th protocol (which modifies the control system of the Convention) are being conducted successfully.

Furthermore, Spain has signed and ratified other texts regarding the protection of human rights. In fact, Spain is part of the vast majority of international treaties and conventions with regard to this matter and their articles and dispositions are enshrined in the national legal system. Moreover, the international treaties and settlements concerning human rights are specially safeguarded by the article 10 of the Spanish Constitution. In accordance with article 10 of the Constitution, the rights and freedoms acknowledged in the Spanish Constitution will be interpreted in compliance with all the treaties and conventions ratified by Spain concerning this matter.

With regard to the Autonomous Region of Catalonia, the Catalan Statute also acknowledges the rights and freedoms set out by the Spanish Constitution, the European Convention for Human Rights and the other treaties and conventions regarding this matter, which safeguard and guarantee the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

CROATIA

The European Convention is a part of internal legal system and from its legal power is above the law /Article 134 of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia

CZECH REPUBLIC

Yes, it is a part of our constitutional law.

DENMARK

Yes

ENGLAND

Yes.

ESTONIA

The Riigikogu (parliament of Estonia) ratified the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and its additional protocols. According to the Constitution § 3² the convention is an inseparable part of the Estonian legal system. Chancellor of Justice exercises supervision over the conformity of legislation with international agreements. So – the Convention has at least same legal effects in a national law.

FINLAND

Yes, it is. Finland ratifies the European convention on protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms (ECHR in the following) on 4 May 1990 and the ECHR entered into force on 10 May 1990. The ECHR was promulgated by a Parliamentary Act of 4 May 1990 (no. 438). Traditional rules of interpretation such as lex posterior and lex specialis can not be mechanically applied. Instead the courts and other authorities should strive to apply law in a basic and human rights “friendly” manner.

FLEMISH REGION

Yes

Germany

Comment by Walter Keim:

In the German legal system, the European Convention on Human Rights has the status of a federal statute. The Constitutional Court decided:

Order of the Second Senate of 14 October 2004
– 2 BvR 1481/04 –

GREECE

According to the Greek constitution, the European Convention of Human Rights, after its ratification by parliament, has a superior binding effect over ordinary parliamentary statutes within the Greek legal system.

GREENLAND

Yes

HUNGARY

Yes.

● Act III of 2004 on the promulgation of PROTOCOL NO. 13 TO THE CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENATAL FREEDOMS, CONCERNING THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

● Act XLII of 1998 on the promulgation of PROTOCOL NO. 11 TO THE CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, RESTRUCTURING THE CONTROL MACHINERY ESTABLISHED THEREBY

● Act XXXI of 1993 on the promulgation of THE CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS AND ITS EIGHT PROTOCOLS

● Resolution of Parliament 58/1998 (X. 2.) on the publication of the complex text of the Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms

IRELAND

Yes, by virtue of the European Convention on Human Rights Act, 2003.

LATVIA

Yes. By ratifying convention Parliament issues a law. In such a way convention becomes applicable at national law and has the same legal effect as a national law. Also all the guaranties, which are included in the Convention are introduced also in the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia

LITHUANIA

Yes. The European Convention of protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is the ratified international treaty, which has the same power as laws in the Lithuanian national law system.

LUXEMBOURG

Yes

MALTA

Yes. The European Convention Act enacted by Malta’s House of Representatives on August 19^th 1987 made provision for the substantive Articles of the European Convention for the protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms to become and be enforceable as part of the Laws of Malta with the same legal effects as a national law

NETHERLANDS

Yes, the Convention has direct effect in the Netherlands

NORTHERN IRELAND

Yes

NORWAY

Yes. With the adoption, on 21^st May 1999 of the law on the reinforcement of human rights protection and its subsequent amendments, four international conventions have been incorporated into Norwegian legislation. Amongst these conventions is the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

ROMANIA

The European Convention for defending of human rights and individual freedoms was ratified by the Law no. 30/1994, published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, no. 135 on 31 May 1994.

According to art. 11 paragraph (2) of the Romanian Constitution treaties ratified by Parliament according to the law are part of national law and in conformity with art. 11 paragraph (1) of the Constitution, the Romanian State pledges to fulfil as such and in good faith its obligations as deriving from the treatise it is a party to.

The provisions of art. 20 enshrined in the Constitution state that constitutional provisions concerning citizens’ rights and liberties shall be interpreted and enforced in conformity with the Universal declaration of Human Rights, with the covenants and other treaties Romania is a party to. Where any inconsistencies exist between the covenants and treaties on the fundamental rights Romania is a party to, and the national laws, the international regulations shall take precedence, unless the Constitution or national laws comprise more favourable provisions

SCOTLAND

Yes

SLOVAKIA

The Agreement on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms from 1950 as amended by its addendum protocol and following protocols came into force in our legal order in 1992. According to Art. 153 of the Constitution of the Slovak Republic, the rights and duties resulting from the international agreements that the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic was bound were assigned to the Slovak Republic upon its establishment. Then the Slovak Republic also ratified other protocols to the Agreement with legal consequences identical with the ones of national law

SPAIN

Article 10, paragraph 2, of the Spanish Constitution states: ‘Provisions relating to the fundamental rights and liberties recognized by the Constitution shall be construed in conformity with the Universal Maration of Human Rights and international treaties and agreements thereon ratified by Spain”. The European Convention of Human Rights was ratified by Spain in 1979.

SWEDEN

Yes

TYROL

Yes, on the level of constitutional law

UK

Yes

VOJVODINA

European Convention has the same legal effects as the national law. According to the article 16 of the Constitution, international treaties shall apply directly, and should be in accordance with the Constitution

VORALBERG

Yes, even on the level of constitutional law

WALLON REGION

La Convention européenne des droits de l’homme est bien incorporée au droit national belge avec les mêmes effets que la loi et plus encore : le droit communautaire occupe, dans la hiérarchie des normes, une position prioritaire par rapport à la législation proprement étatique. Les juges nationaux doivent, en cas de conflit entre une disposition interne et une disposition intercommunautaire, accorder la primauté à cette dernière

ZURICH

Die EMRK in der Schweiz: Ja. Die EMRK mit ihren Protokollen (6, 7, 11, 13) ist Teil des nationalen Rechtes. Die EMRK wird direkt angewendet und der Einzelne kann sie gleich wie verfassungsmässige Rechte unmittelbar anrufen. Die Freiheitsrechte von Verfassung und EMRK richten sich im Grundsatz gegen staatliche Eingriffe und schützen die privaten Träger vor Übergriffen der Staatsgewalt

ALBANIA

According to the Article 60 of the Albanian Constitution and in compliance with the Article 2 of Law on People’s Advocate (Ombudsman), the People’s Advocate safeguards the rights, freedoms and lawful interests of individuals from unlawful and improper actions or failures to act of the organs of public administration. Ombudsman jurisdiction covers complaints related to Government, Ministries, Central State institutions; local government bodies where are included Prefects, Municipalities, Communes etc. Without encroaching upon the independence of the judiciary, the People’s Advocate accepts complaints, requests or notifications of human rights violations arising from the administration of the judiciary and judicial procedures

AMSTERDAM

Yes

ANDORRA

Bien que le Raonador del Ciutadà n’aie pas expressément la surveillance et l’application de la Convention de la part des autorités du pays, il peut réagir et agir s’il constate l’existence d’une violation ou d’un abus des lois et des principes des Droits de l’Homme et des libertés stipulée par la Convention Européenne

AUSTRIA

Yes, indirectly since infringements of the Convention are considered as “maladministration”, though the judiciary is not within the mandate of the Austrian Ombudsman Board, except its administration (e.g. delays of the proceedings).

BELGIUM

Le Médiateur fédéral a pour mission :

1° d’examiner les réclamations relatives aux actes et au fonctionnement des autorités administratives fédérales ;

2° de mener, à la demande de la Chambre des représentants, toute investigation sur le fonctionnement des services administratifs fédéraux qu’elle désigne ;

3° en se basant sur les constatations faites à l’occasion de l’exécution des missions visées aux 1° et 2°, de formuler des recommandations et de faire rapport sur le fonctionnement des autorités administratives.

Les droits et libertés fondamentales garantis par les textes internationaux et par la Constitution belge font partie intégrante des normes à l’aune desquelles le Médiateur fédéral évalue les actes et le fonctionnement des autorités administratives fédérales (plaignants incarcérés, en situation irrégulière, …) et rapporte, le cas échéant, à la Chambre des représentants.

En ce sens, notre service a vocation à veiller à la correcte application des règles de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme par les autorités administratives fédérales et a le pouvoir de traiter les réclamations fondées sur une prétendue violation ou abus de ces droits et libertés.

Notons cependant que dans la rédaction actuelle de la loi du 22 mars 1995 instaurant des médiateurs fédéraux, leur compétence ne peut s’exercer qu’ex-post, sur la base d’une réclamation ou d’une demande d’investigation de la Chambre des représentants. Le Médiateur fédéral ne dispose pas du pouvoir d’enquêter d’initiative sur des possibles violations des droits de l’homme et libertés fondamentales par une autorité administrative fédérale.

CATALONIA

In the first instance, it is for national courts to protect human rights and ensure the respect for the rights safeguarded in the Convention. The Spanish courts are empowered to defence and protect the human rights set out in the Spanish Constitution by the articles 14-30. These are directly implemented by national courts. The Constitutional Court is the highest court, which is to ensure the protection of human rights.

Moreover, the Spanish Ombudsman, in accordance with the article 54 of the Spanish Constitution, is entitled not only to monitor the Administration but also to ensure the protection of rights encoded in the Spanish Constitution.

As regards the Catalan Ombudsman, this institution is entitled to control the Catalan administration, the public bodies and the private companies which deal with public services. In accordance with its enabling law, the Catalan Ombudsman is also entitled to protect the fundamental rights and the freedoms of citizens.

It must be pointed out that since the new Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia came into force on August 9 the control over the Catalan Administration is conferred exclusively on the Catalan Ombudsman.

The Catalan Ombudsman was set up not only to address the need for greater control over the Administration but also to ensure the defence of human rights. To meet this purpose, besides the handling of complaints, it can initiate ex-officio actions if there is an abuse or an infringement of the principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

CROATIA

Yes, it is in general, although specific formal powers under the Law on the Ombudsman has only toward state and local administration and bodies vested with public powers. That powers does not include judiciary or other legal entities

CZECH REPUBLIC

Czech Public Defender of Rights is only entrusted to supervise acts of public administration institutions. The mandate does not cover the Parliament, the President, the Government and courts (except for state administration of courts)

DENMARK

The ombudsman Office is able to process complaints over any unlawfulness on the part of the authorities. This includes complaints based on breaches of the rights set forth in the European Convention on Human Rights.

ENGLAND + SCOTLAND + NORTHERN IRELAND + UNITED KINGDOM

No, not explicitly, but if the Ombudsmen identify Human Rights infringement or breaches during investigation into allegations of maladministration or service failure, they are entitled to comment upon them.

There is no explicit power to supervise Human Rights, but the Ombudsmen’s powers to investigate maladministration are very wide, enabling them to consider alleged breaches of Human Rights.

The Equality Act 2006 establishes the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), covering non-devolved matters in England, Scotland and Wales, which will come into being in October 2007. A Scottish Commission for Human Rights will deal with devolved matters in Scotland. In Northern Ireland a Human Rights Commission has been in existence since 1999. Its role is to promote awareness of human rights in Northern Ireland, to review existing law and practice and to advise government on what steps need to be taken fully to protect human rights in Northern Ireland.

ESTONIA

Chancellor of Justice Act § 33 enacts that the Chancellor of Justice verifies whether or not agencies under supervision adhere to the principles of observance of the fundamental rights and freedoms and principles of sound administration. Chancellor of Justice Act § 19 subsection (1) says that everyone has the right of recourse to the Chancellor of Justice in order to have his or her rights protected by way of filing a petition to request verification whether or not a state agency, local government agency or body, legal person in public law, natural person or legal persons in private law performing public duties adheres to the principles of observance of the fundamental rights and freedoms and to the principles of sound administration. Hence the Office of the Chancellor of Justice supervises also application of the Convention.

FLEMISH REGION

The Flemish Ombudsman Service has no explicit human rights mandate. He investigates complaints about the acts and the operation of the administrative authorities of Flanders. Complaints about violations of human right aren’t excluded, but are very rarely. There are other institutions for that kind of complaints, brought to him as such. Since these principles are a part of the Belgian legal order, he will evaluate their application in specific complaints.

FINLAND

Yes it is. Pursuant to Section 109, subsection 1 of the Finnish Constitution, the Ombudsman shall ensure that the courts of law, the other authorities and civil servants, public employees and other persons, when the latter are performing a public task, obey the law and fulfil their obligations. In the performance of his or her duties, the Ombudsman monitors the implementation of basic rights and liberties and human rights.

GERMANY

Aus dem FAQ des Institutes für Menschenrechte:

Welche Einflussmöglichkeiten hat das Institut auf die Menschenrechtspolitik der Bundesregierung?

Das Institut richtet sich mit dem Angebot der Politikberatung und Fachgesprächen sowie mit seinen Studien und Dokumentationen auch an Vertreter/innen der Bundesregierung. Es will dadurch mit zur Meinungsbildung in menschenrechtlich relevanten Themenfeldern innerhalb der Regierung beitragen und Prozesse zur Umsetzung von Menschenrechtsabkommen in Deutschland voranbringen. Außerdem bietet das Institut ein Forum für den Austausch zwischen Vertreter/innen staatlicher und nichtstaatlicher Institutionen über die Förderung und den Schutz der Menschenrechte.

Befasst sich das Institut mit Einzelfällen?

Nein, gemäß seiner Satzung gehört es nicht zu den Aufgaben des Instituts, anwaltlich oder als Ombudsinstitution in einzelnen Fällen von Menschenrechtsverletzungen tätig zu werden. Konkrete Fälle von Menschenrechtsverletzungen, so beispielsweise fremdenfeindliche Straftaten in Deutschland, finden in ihrer Gesamtheit Berücksichtigung in den Studien des Instituts.

Von Menschenrechtsverletzungen betroffenen Menschen, die sich an das Institut wenden, erteilt das Institut nach bestem Vermögen Auskunft über geeignete Beratungsstellen.

GREECE

Yes, but mainly on an ad hoc basis, through the investigation of individual complaints. More general supervision is effected, though, in an indirect way, through special reports on categories of cases and the yearly report on the Ombudsman activities addressed to parliament.

GREENLAND

The primary function is to monitor, whether the administrative bodies are guilty of errors or derelictions in the performance of their duties. This includes complaints based on alleged violations of the rights set forth in the Convention.

HUNGARY

According to Section 1 of the Act LIX of 1993 on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Civil Rights: It shall be the duty of the Ombudsman for Civil Rights (hereinafter “Ombudsman”) to investigate or to have investigated any abuses of constitutional rights, he has become aware of, and to initiate general or particular measures for the redress thereof (paragraph (1) of Article 32/B of the Constitution.)

Section 16 of the Act LIX of 1993:

(1) Anybody may apply to the ombudsman if in his judgment he suffered injury in consequence of the proceedings of any authority (subsection (1) of Section 29) or organ performing public service (hereinafter together “authority”), or its decision (measure) taken in the course of the proceedings and/or of the omission of the measure of the authority in connection with his constitutional rights, or if a direct danger thereof exists, provided that he has exhausted the available possibilities of administrative legal remedies – except for the judicial review of an administrative resolution – or that no legal remedy is ensured for him.

(2) In order to terminate an abuse connected with the constitutional rights the ombudsman may act also ex officio in case of the existence of the conditions indicated in subsection (1).

IRELAND

No, not specifically; the Convention Rights are enforceable through the courts. In addition, the Irish Human Rights Commission has the power to assist persons with the enforcement of those rights and to initiate court proceedings on behalf of a person or class of persons. The Commission also has a role in promoting awareness of human rights in Ireland. The Ombudsman's primary role is to investigate complaints of maladministration. However, if following an investigation. The Ombudsman's finds that a complainant has been adversely affected by the actions of a public authority and, as part of that process, she also concludes that the complainant's human rights have been infringed, she will comment explicitly and may recommend appropriate redress.

LATVIA

According to the Article 1 of the Law on the Latvian National Human Rights Office (hereinafter - LNHRO) “LNHRO is an independent state institution, promoting the observance of the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals and citizens in the Republic of Latvia in accordance with the Constitution, international treaties and legislation of the European Union in the field of human rights”.

On 1 January, 2007, in place of LNHRO, there will be established Ombudsman office. According to the Article 11 of the Ombudsman Law, this institution will deal with issues related to observance of human rights and the principle of good administration. One of main tasks of the Ombudsman office will be promotion of the public awareness and understanding of human rights, and of the mechanisms for the protection of such rights.

LITHUANIA

Part 1 of the Article 73 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania stipulates that complaints about the abuse of office by and bureaucracy of officers (except judges) of state and municipal institutions are investigated by the Seimas Ombudsmen. Rights of the Seimas Ombudsmen are set by the Law on the Seimas Ombudsmen.

The purpose of activities of the Seimas Ombudsmen is to protect a person’s right to good public administration securing humans rights and freedoms, to supervise fulfilment by state authorities of their duty to properly serve the people.

As an independent constitutional institution the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office protecting human’s rights and freedoms within their competence also perform supervision of application of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and react to complaints about violations or abuse of power following rules and principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms defined in the Convention.

LUXEMBOURG

Yes

MALTA

No, not directly. The Malta Constitution (1964) includes entrenched provisions for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual. It provides that any person who alleges that any of these rights and freedoms has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him can apply to the Civil Court, First Hall, that shall have original jurisdiction to hear and determine that application. That Court is empowered to provide for adequate means of redress to secure the enjoyment of those rights and freedoms. The Constitution provides for a right of appeal directly to the Constitutional Court from the judgment given by the Court of firt instance. The same right of individual petition is extended to any individual who alleges a contravention of any fundamental right or freedom guaranteed by the European Convention. The same judicial procedure applies/

Yes, indirectly. My Office is required to ensure the correct application by the authorities of fundamental rights and to react to allegation of infringements or abuse of the rules and principles governing human rights and freedoms in so far as there are reflected in the exercise of the fundamental right of every individual to good administration. In effect the Ombudsman Act (Act XXI of 1995) incorporates these rules and reflects these principles.

NETHERLANDS

Yes although there is no special reference in the Dutch Law that states that the ombudsman should supervise the application of the Convention. It should be noted that in most cases the National Ombudsman is not competent to deal with a case when it is dealt with in court

NORWAY

Yes. Section 3 of the Ombudsman’s Act states that the main objective of the Ombudsman’s activities is to prevent injustices and errors on the part of public administration against the individual citizen. In 2003, the Ombudsman’s Act was amended, and it now also explicitly states that the Ombudsman’s work includes ensuring that human rights are respected.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman has the entire public administration service as his field of operation; locally, regionally and centrally, and he deals with cases in all areas of public administration.

However, there are some limitations as to the Ombudsman’s scope of powers. The most important in this relation being that complaints arising from private disputes and decisions by the courts of law, e.g. criminal proceedings, can not be investigated by the Ombudsman.

ROMANIA

The constitutional and legal role of the People’s Advocate is to defend individuals’ rights and freedoms in their relationships with the public administration authorities. By using special means of action, People’s Advocate verifies the observance of the individuals’ rights and freedoms, including those provided by the European Convention, by the public administration authorities. Hence, the People’s Advocate has the right to carry out his own inquiries, to request the public administration authorities any information or documents necessary to the inquiry, to conduct hearings and to take depositions from the officials of public administration authorities, as well as from any civil servant who can provide information necessary for solving the complaint. Additionally, in the performance of its duties, the People’s Advocate issues recommendations that cannot be submitted either by parliamentary or judiciary control. Through the recommendations issued, the People’s Advocate notifies the public administration authorities about illegalities relative to the administrative acts or facts.

Furthermore, in the event that the People’s Advocate determines that the resolution of a complaint involves the competence of judicial authorities, he can, as the case may be, address the Ministry of Justice, the Public Ministry or the president of a court of law, that are obliged to communicate the taken measures. This represents a legal method through which the aforementioned authorities can support the People’s Advocate in the resolution of complaints involving the infringement of rights to a fair trial, in a reasonable term as provided by art. 6 of the European Convention for defending human rights and fundamental freedoms, validated by the provisions of art. 21 paragraph (3) of the Romanian Constitution.

Additionally, the People’s Advocate is involved in the constitutional control of laws and ordinances performed in Romania by the Constitutional Court. Hence, the People’s Advocate formulates opinions on the exceptions of unconstitutionality regarding provisions of laws and ordinances issued in the area of human rights, can bring up directly before the Constitutional Court, exceptions of unconstitutionality, and can address to the Constitutional Court, objections of unconstitutionality regarding certain provisions of laws adopted by the Parliament, before their promulgation by the Romanian President.

SLOVAKIA

According to the Constitution of the Slovak Republic and the Act on Public Defender of Rights the Public Defender of Rights in the Slovak Republic protects the fundamental rights and freedoms as defined in the Constitution of the Slovak Republic and international agreements that the Slovak Republic is bound with. According the above stated, the public defender of rights is entitled to monitor correct application of the Agreement on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms by the public administration bodies of the Slovak Republic. He is entitled to review motions drawing attention to the breach or abuse of the rules and principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms anchored in the Agreement. He can also act upon his own initiative

SPAIN

Yes. The Defensor del Pueblo (Spanish Ombudsman) is in the charge of the defence and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms included in the Spanish Constitution of 1978 (art. 54), Mich must be always interpreted under the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

SWEDEN

Yes

TYROL +

VORALBERG

In the constitutional provision about the Landesvolksanwalt (Art. 59 – 61 of the Constitution of the Land of Vorarlberg) and the law about the Regional Ombudsman (Gesetz über den Landesvolksanwalt, LGBl Nr 29/1985) Human Rights are not mentioned. Since administrative actions violating the law are always a case of “maladministration” (“Missstand” as formulated in the regional Constitution and law), violating constitutional rights (which include Human Rights and Freedoms and the European Convention) a especially severe case of maladministration. Therefore, my office is entrusted to supervise the application of the European convention

VOJVODINA

The Office of Provincial Ombudsman is entrusted to supervise the correct application by the authorities, and to react on allegations of infringements or abuse of the rules and principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms set out in the European Convention.

The article 1. of the Decision on the Provincial Ombudsman states that:

“The Provincial Ombudsman shall be established ( hereinafter: Ombudsman ) as an independent and self-reliant body which sees to the protection and promotion of human rights and freedoms of each individual guaranteed by the Constitution, by ratified and published international treaties on human rights and by the law and regulations of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (hereinafter: Province).

The Ombudsman shall particularly protect human rights and freedoms from paragraph 1 of this Article (hereinafter: human rights) from violation committed by provincial and municipal administration, organizations and public services which execute administrative and public authority and which are founded by the Province or municipalities (hereinafter: administrative bodies).

For the purpose of protection and promotion of human rights, the Ombudsman shall monitor the implementation of regulations from paragraph 1 of this Article, supervise the legality, appropriateness and efficiency of the work of the administrative bodies and may investigate the work of administrative bodies in order to protect human rights.”

WALLON REGION

Non, l’Institution de Médiateur de la Région wallonne n’a pas été habilitée expressément ni par la Constitution ni par le Décret régional wallon du 22 décembre 1994 créant l’Institution, à lutter contre les abus et violation des droits de l’Homme.

Mais le Médiateur peut se référer aux principes de droits de l’Homme. Par ailleurs, l’article 23 de la Constitution consacre les droits fondamentaux de la deuxième génération, c’est-à-dire les droits économiques et sociaux. La Belgique est un Etat fédéral, au sein duquel la Région wallonne est compétente pour certains droits économiques et sociaux. Il en résulte qu’en cas de mauvaise administration ou de maladministration, en matière de droits économiques et sociaux, le Médiateur de la Région wallonne peut intervenir auprès des administrations régionales wallonnes, pour dénoncer les dysfonctionnements.

ZURICH

Zuständigkeit der Ombudsstelle, behaupteten EMRK-Menschenrechts-Verletzungen nachzugehen: Ja. Die Ombudsstelle hat die Kompetenz, alle Beschwerden gegen eine Amtsstelle der Stadt Zürich zu überprüfen, namentlich auch solche betreffend Verletzung der Menschenrechte