Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor of Public Law at Shiraz University
2
PhD Candidate of Public Law at Shiraz University
3
LLM Student of Public Law at Shiraz University
Abstract
In recent decades, the importance of National Human Rights Institutions as domestic mechanisms for implementing and promoting human rights has been increasingly emphasized internationally. These institutions, which include human rights commissions and ombudsmen, play a vital role in monitoring states' human rights obligations, particularly through mechanisms like the UN Human Rights Council and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. The Human Rights Ombudsman, as a key type of National Human Rights Institution, goes beyond the classic role of ombudsman in addressing administrative maladministration, specifically focusing on the protection and promotion of individuals' fundamental rights, and may possess broader powers to effect systemic change. In the Iranian legal system, despite the existence of institutions with oversight functions, there is a felt gap for an independent, specialized institution with the characteristics of a Human Rights Ombudsman to effectively guarantee the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution and other instruments. This article, using a descriptive-analytical method, examines the conceptual evolution and functions of the Human Rights Ombudsman internationally, takes a comparative look at the experiences of some countries, assesses the necessity of establishing a "National Institution for Human Rights and Citizenship" in Iran, and analyzes the challenges and ways forward. The main objective is to explain the crucial role such an institution can play in bridging the gap between legal human rights standards and their practical implementation in the country. This research employs a descriptive-analytical methodology. In the descriptive part, based on library resources and international documents, the concept of the Ombudsman and its evolution towards the Human Rights Ombudsman is explored. The main functions of this institution – including investigating human rights violations, monitoring public administration, promoting human rights, addressing systemic issues, and providing remedies – are detailed and compared with the functions of the classic ombudsman. Furthermore, the status of the Human Rights Ombudsman as a National Human Rights Institution and the international standards governing it, particularly the «Paris Principles» which include independence, broad mandate, adequate funding, and other aspects, are examined. In the analytical part, through a comparative study of the experiences of establishing and operating similar institutions in countries like Turkey, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, factors influencing their effectiveness are identified. Subsequently, the status of existing oversight bodies in Iran such as the General Inspectorate Organization and the Article 90 Commission of Parliament and previous attempts to create a National Human Rights Institution including bills from 2004 and 2021 are evaluated, and the necessity of establishing an independent institution with Human Rights Ombudsman characteristics within the Iranian legal framework is analyzed.The research findings indicate that the Human Rights Ombudsman as a National Human Rights Institution, plays a distinct and vital role in legal systems. Unlike classic ombudsmen primarily focus on administrative maladministration, these institutions have an explicit mandate to protect and promote human rights and possess broader powers, including initiating investigations into systemic issues, proposing legislative reforms, conducting human rights education, and, in some cases, referring cases to higher authorities like constitutional courts. Compliance with the «Paris Principles», particularly institutional and financial independence, a broad mandate, and accessibility, is essential for the effectiveness of these institutions. The experiences of countries such as Turkey, Russia, and the UAE demonstrate that establishing such institutions is feasible and beneficial even in diverse political systems, contributing to the improvement of the human rights situation. In Iran, existing oversight bodies like the General Inspectorate Organization and the Parliament's Article 90 Commission cannot effectively perform the functions of a Human Rights Ombudsman due to limitations in their mandate lacking an explicit focus on human rights, insufficient independence, jurisdiction confined to specific parts of the government, and inadequate accessibility. The main gap is the absence of an independent, accessible, and specialized mechanism for handling complaints regarding violations of citizens' fundamental rights enshrined in Chapter 3 of the Constitution and other documents and proactively monitoring the implementation of these rights. The lack of effective «Constitutional Complaint» procedures exacerbates this need. Actions by governments in different periods, including case-specific interventions by the Vice Presidency for Constitutional Affairs and the submission of two unsuccessful bills in 2004 and 2021 to establish a "National Institution for Human Rights and Citizenship ," attest to the recognition of this necessity by parts of the state apparatus. The 2021 bill, in particular, envisioned duties and powers for the National Human Rights Institution consistent with international standards.This research concludes that establishing an independent "National Institution for Human Rights and Citizenship" in Iran, in the form of a Human Rights Ombudsman, is necessary and crucial. Such an institution could significantly help fill the existing gaps in the system for guaranteeing basic rights, especially given the limitations of judicial review mechanisms, by proactively monitoring the implementation of fundamental rights, addressing individual and systemic complaints using soft powers such as recommendations, reports, and mediation, promoting a human rights culture, and proposing legislative reforms. Creating this institution would not only respond to domestic demands and increase public trust but also help improve Iran's international interactions and image. Although challenges such as political resistance, structural limitations, and cultural perceptions exist, designing a domestic, independent model that is compatible with the Constitution and international standards like the Paris Principles, can be an effective step towards realizing human dignity and good governance.
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