Finland: Combating violence against women
Finland has recently ratified the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The entry into force has been accompanied by several practical measures to improve women’s access to justice and combat violence against women, including a multi-sectoral Action Plan and a mechanism to coordinate national activities. The policies and activities are victim-centered.
Finland: Ombudsman institutions
Finland, due to historical reasons, has two parallel institutions serving ombudsman functions. Both the Chancellor of Justice of the Government, appointed by the President of the Republic, and the Parliamentary Ombudsman elected by the Parliament act as supreme guardians of law. They exercise oversight of the courts and authorities, ensure compliance with the law, and safeguard the rights of citizens.
Chile: Anti-corruption and transparency in public administration
The Government of Chile has undertaken measures to combat corruption and to enhance transparency in public administration through legislative and administrative measures. The most important measures adopted on this matter are as follows, as submitted by the Government of Chile: We should first note that 2014 saw the implementation of Act No. 20.730 governing lobbying [...]
Turkey: Reform of penitentiaries
Turkey has improved its penal system in terms of physical infrastructure, training of staff and legislation. Right to appeal and probation have gained more functionality. Turkey has also amended legislation with the purpose of social rehabilitation, and providing an alternative procedure to pre-trial detention. Description Beginning from the year 2000, the Turkish penal system has [...]
Turkey: Strengthening protection of human rights
Turkey has taken a set of important measures to strengthen the protection of human rights. It established a Human Rights Department within the Ministry of Justice and a Human Rights Compensation Commission. It introduced the possibility of an individual application before the Constitutional Court and an action plan on the prevention of violations of the [...]
Switzerland: Sharing practices followed by Switzerland on international treaties
Switzerland makes available to the public for free a “Practice Guide to International Treaties”, which describes the rules and practice followed by Switzerland on treaties. Originally conceived for a Swiss audience, it has generated considerable interest from other governments and is now available in print and online in English, French and German.
Switzerland: Legislating on freezing and recovery of assets of illicit origin of foreign officials
Switzerland: Legislating on freezing and recovery of assets of illicit origin of foreign officials
Switzerland passed a bill on the freezing and recovery of assets of illicit origin of foreign officials. The mechanism envisaged under the bill freezes and then returns assets of illegal origin deposited in Switzerland to their States of origin as quickly and transparently as possible while respecting the rule of law when mutual legal assistance fails. The bill is in line with the foreign policy goals of Switzerland and covers several aspects of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, making an important contribution to its implementation.
Switzerland: Implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights
Switzerland has taken a number of constitutional, legal and administrative steps to ensure adequate application and implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights in Switzerland.
Qatar: Promotion of the rule of law and human rights
Qatar has enshrined the rule of law and human rights in its Constitution and national strategic frameworks. It has also enacted a range of laws aimed at strengthening human rights and the judicial system, including judicial independence.
Switzerland: Strengthening and enhancing the effective functioning of the human rights treaty body system
With a view to strengthening and enhancing the effective functioning of the human rights treaty body system, Switzerland piloted a Geneva Platform for Members of Human Rights Treaty Bodies, which promotes the direct exchange of information between members of treaty bodies, interested experts and other civil society actors.