National Human Rights Institutions are independent bodies established to stand up for those in need of protection and to hold governments to account for their human rights obligations.

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The State of Mauritius has set up the following independent National Human Rights Institutions that have a core protection function and support the prevention of human rights violation and abuses:

- National Human Rights Commission

- Equal Opportunities Commission

- Office of the Ombudsman

- Ombudsperson for Children

- Independent Police Complaints Commission

- Ombudsperson for Financial Services

- Ombudsperson for Sports

Individuals can approach the appropriate NHRI to claim potential violation of their basic human rights. ​The NHRIs also contribute to the advancement of the rule of law and strengthen the participation of Civil Society in the various human rights mechanisms.

HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS IN MAURITIUS

The Protection of Human Rights Act

The Protection of Human Rights Act provides for the setting up of the National Human Rights Commission, which is a full-fledged institution with quasi jurisdictional competence to receive complaints against violation of Human Rights and to summon witnesses and respondents.

The Ombudsman Act

The Ombudsman Act 1969 provides for the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate into complaints against Government Institutions and seeks redress to injustice, if any, sustained in consequence of any alleged maladministration that may have been committed by any public officer or authority in exercise of administrative functions.

The Ombudsperson for Children's Act

This Act provides for the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children to represent and defend the rights and interests of children in Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agaléga, children of Mauritian origin who live abroad and children of any other nationalities who reside in the Republic of Mauritius.

The Equal Opportunities Act

The Equal Opportunities Act provides for the establishment of the Equal Opportunities Commission to work, inter- alia, towards the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different status.

The Independent Police Complaints Act

​This Act provides for the establishment of an Independent Police Complaints Commission to investigate into complaints made against the police officers in the discharge of their functions, other than complaints of acts of corruption or money laundering offences.  The Commission also investigates into the cause of death of a person who died whilst the person was in police custody or as a result of police action.

Sports Act

The Sports Act provides for Ombudspersons for Sports to investigate into appeals for conciliation made by any person who feels aggrieved by a decision of the Mauritius Olympic Committee, the Mauritius Paralympic Committee, a National Sports Federation, a Multisport Organisation, a regional sports committee, a sports club, a licensee, any member, referee, coach or other officials of a sports organization, other than a decision or dispute related to doping.

Financial Services Act

​This Act provides for Ombudsperson for Financial Services to provide protection to and deal with complaints made by consumers of financial services, inform and educate the general public on investments in the financial services offered by the financial institutions.​