| Type of parliamentary body |
Multifunctional |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
Assembleia da Republica
|
| Date of creation |
16 May 2002 |
| Last renewal date |
|
| Mandate |
The Committee examines individual complaints, monitors the respect of relevant national and international human rights standards, examines the human rights situation nationally and internationally and scrutinises governmental action. The Committee is also competent to examine candidatures for the human rights prize which the Parliament awards each year, and to make recommendations. |
| Membership |
The Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees has 21 effective members and 21 substitute members, who have been appointed by their parliamentary group to sit on parliamentary committees, within the time limit set by the President of the Assembly, for the duration of each legislature (articles 29, 30 and 31 of the Rules of Procedure). |
| Working methods |
Themes are chosen and placed on the agenda on the initiative of the Committee members and decisions are generally taken in public session by a majority vote. The Committee may organise fact-finding missions and hearings, including of representatives of government authorities.
It has set up a Subcommittee on Justice and Prison Affairs which regularly visits prisons and other detention centres. |
| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
The Committee has relations with other committees and with the Assembly. |
| Relations with external bodies |
The Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees, which is responsible for human rights issues in the framework of the Portuguese Parliament's Committee's system, deals with citizens' complaints and formal petitions on the matter and analyzes all demands, about which the Government, public administration or the Ombudsman may be questioned or which shall lead to draft proposals.
The Committee also promotes meetings with non-governmental organisations, such as Amnesty International (Portuguese section) and consults many NGOs on human rights issues and related bills (recent example: the draft proposal on domestic violence).
|
| Subjects dealt with |
Immigration and human rights; the human rights situation in prisons. Domestic violence; criminal defendant's rights and the establishment of limits to remand in prison; immigration; victims of trafficking; poverty; the situation in prisons (overcrowding, poor hygiene and lack of resources in prisons). |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| Main address |
Assembleia da República
Palácio de São Bento
1249-068 LISBON
|
| Phone |
+351 21 391 95 30
|
| Fax |
+351 21 391 74 78 |
| E-mail |
com1cacdlg@ar.parlamento.pt |
| Website |
www.parlamento.pt
|
|
|
|
PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
|
| Name |
Mr. Osvaldo De Castro |
| Notes |
Chairman |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
... |
| Fax |
... |
| E-mail |
osvaldocastro@ps.parlamento.pt |
| Website |
...
|
| Name |
Mr. Miguel Macedo |
| Notes |
Vice-President |
| Name |
Mr. António Filipe |
| Notes |
Vice-Presidente |
|
SECRETARY
|
| Name |
Ms. Odete Alves |
| Notes |
Secretary |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
... |
| Fax |
... |
| E-mail |
Odete.Alves@ar.parlamento.pt |
| web site: |
...
|
| Notes |
|
| Name |
Mr. Francisco Alves |
| Notes |
Legal Adviser |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
... |
| Fax |
... |
| E-mail |
Francisco. Alves@ar.parlamento.pt |
| web site: |
...
|
| Notes |
|
