You can submit an application to the Chancellor if you believe that a particular act or other legislation of general application is not in line with the Constitution or the law, your certain rights have been violated by Estonian state officials or institutions.  In discrimination cases the application can be against a natural person or legal person governed by private law. The Chancellor may refuse to review an application if it is filed after one year as of the date when the person became aware or should have become aware of the violation of his or her rights.

In addition, there are some conditions which you should take into account before submitting an application:

Specify a concrete Act or regulation that is not in conformity with the Constitution

The Chancellor must get an understanding which act or regulation is not in conformity with the Constitution or other laws by your opinion. 

example The Chancellor cannot investigate your application if you merely state that all laws are bad and violate the values of Constitution.

The violation has to have been committed by a State institution or officials

The Chancellor cannot investigate the decisions or actions of government agencies from other countries, international organizations or private individuals who do not represent Estonian state agencies. The only exception is a complaint about discrimination. In such cases you can complain to the Chancellor about the actions of other private individuals or companies in Estonia. 

Discrimination case must be about you

You cannot ask the Chancellor to conduct a conciliation procedure in discrimination case unless you are part of the discrimination case.  

example You cannot turn to the Chancellor and ask her to conduct a conciliation procedure if the parties of the discrimination case are your colleague and your employer.

You can complain about the violation of another person’s rights only if you if you have a legal right to represent that person. For example, if you are a parent of a minor or you are a legal guardian.

Human Rights Guide

A European platform for human rights education