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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English
(1) In this section, discrimination refers to the treatment of different people in different ways wholly or mainly because of their different —
(a) races; or
(b) places of origin; or
(c) political opinions; or
(d) colours; or
(e) religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs, or
(f) disability; or
(g) sex
in such a way that one such person is for some such reason given more favourable treatment or less favourable treatment than another such person.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Part, and in particular to —
(a) the succeeding provisions of this section;
...
no-one shall be treated in a discriminatory manner.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a law so far as it makes provision —
…
(f) by which any person or group may be given favourable treatment or unfavourable treatment which, having regard to the nature of the treatment and to any special circumstances of the person or group, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society having a proper respect for human rights and dignity.
... (Sec. 27)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English
Every person who, immediately before the date on which this Constitution took effect, was a citizen of Tuvalu by virtue of —
(a) Chapter IV (Citizenship) of the Independence Constitution; or
(b) the Citizenship Ordinance 1979, is as at that date a citizen of Tuvalu for the purposes of this Constitution; or
(c) Part III (Citizenship) of the Constitution 1986,
is as at that date a citizen of Tuvalu for the purposes of this Constitution. (Sec. 45)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English
(1) An Act of Parliament may make provision —
(a) for the acquisition of citizenship of Tuvalu by persons who are not otherwise eligible to become citizens of Tuvalu by virtue of this Part; or
(b) for the renunciation by any person of his citizenship of Tuvalu; or
(c) for the maintenance of a register of citizens of Tuvalu who are also citizens or nationals of another country; or
(d) subject to subsection (2), for depriving any person of his citizenship of Tuvalu,
and generally for carrying into effect the purposes of this Part.
(2) Subsection (1)(d) does not apply to a person who —
(a) became a citizen automatically on Independence Day, by virtue of section 19 (persons who became citizens on Independence Day) of the Independence Constitution; or
(b) became a citizen by birth under —
(i) section 22 (persons born in Tuvalu after the day prior to Independence Day) of the Independence Constitution; or
(ii) section 23 (persons born outside Tuvalu after the day prior to independence Day) of the Independence Constitution; or
(iii) section 45 (citizenship by birth) of the Constitution 1986; or
(iv) section 46 (citizenship by birth) of this Constitution. (Sec. 48)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who, on or after the date on which this Constitution took effect, marries a person who is or becomes a citizen of Tuvalu is entitled, on making application in such manner as is prescribed by law, to be registered as a citizen of Tuvalu.
(2) The right conferred by subsection (1) may be made subject to such exceptions and qualifications as are declared by law to be in the interests of national security or public policy. (Sec. 47)
Citizenship and Nationality
- English
(1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), a person born in Tuvalu on or after the date on which this Constitution took effect is a citizen of Tuvalu by birth.
(2) A person born outside Tuvalu on or after the date on which this Constitution took effect is a citizen of Tuvalu by birth if on the date of his birth either of his parents is, or would but for his death have been, a citizen of Tuvalu.
(3) Subject to subsection (5), a person does not become a citizen of Tuvalu by virtue of subsection (1) if at the time of his birth -
(a) neither of his parents was a citizen of Tuvalu; and
(b) his father had the privileges and immunities of an envoy to Tuvalu from a country with which Tuvalu had diplomatic relations.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), a person does not become a citizen of Tuvalu by virtue of subsection (1) if at the time of his birth—
(a) his father was a citizen of a country with which Tuvalu was at war; and
(b) the birth occurred in a place in Tuvalu occupied by that country.
(5) In the case of a person who was born out of wedlock, a reference in subsection (3) or (4) to his father shall be read as a reference to his mother. (Sec. 46)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
In this Constitution –
(a) the masculine gender includes the female gender; and
(b) the feminine gender includes the masculine gender,
… (Schedule 1, Sec. 5)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
(1) In this section, discrimination refers to the treatment of different people in different ways wholly or mainly because of their different —
(a) races; or
(b) places of origin; or
(c) political opinions; or
(d) colours; or
(e) religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs, or
(f) disability; or
(g) sex
in such a way that one such person is for some such reason given more favourable treatment or less favourable treatment than another such person.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Part, and in particular to —
(a) the succeeding provisions of this section; and
(b) section 29 (Protection of Tuvaluan values, etc.); and
(c) section 31 (disciplined forces of Tuvalu); and
(d) section 32 (foreign disciplined forces); and
(e) section 33 (hostile disciplined forces); and
(f) section 36 (restrictions on certain rights and freedoms during public emergencies),
no-one shall be treated in a discriminatory manner.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a law so far as it makes provision —
…
(d) in respect of-
(i) adoption: or
(ii) marriage; or
(iii) divorce; or
(iv) burial; or
(v) any other such matter, in accordance with the personal law, beliefs or customs of any person or group; or
(e) in relation to land; or
(f) by which any person or group may be given favourable treatment or unfavourable treatment which, having regard to the nature of the treatment and to any special circumstances of the person or group, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society having a proper respect for human rights and dignity.
(4) Nothing in a law shall be considered to be inconsistent with subsection (2) to the extent that it makes provision for —
(a) standards or qualifications (not specifically related to any matter referred to in subsection (1)(a)-(e)) for appointment to any office or position in -
(i) a State Service; or
(ii) a disciplined force; or
(iii) the service of a local government or authority; or
(iv) a body corporate established by law for a public purpose, or the service of such a body; or
(b) localization within the meaning of section 142 (localization).
(5) Subsection (2) does not affect the exercise of any discretion relating to the institution, conduct or discontinuance in a court of any proceedings that is vested in any person or authority by or under this Constitution or any other law.
(6) Nothing in or done under a law shall be considered to be inconsistent with subsection (2) to the extent that the law provides that any person may be subjected to any restriction on the rights and freedoms guaranteed by —
(a) section 21 (privacy of home and property); and
(b) section 23 (freedom of belief); and
(c) section 24 (freedom of expression); and
(d) section 25 (freedom of assembly and association); and
(e) section 26 (freedom of movement); and
(f) section 28 (other rights and freedoms),
to the extent authorized by that section.
(7) Subject to section 12(2) (which relates to harsh, oppressive or otherwise unlawful acts) and 15 (definition of “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society”) and to any other law, no act that —
(a) is in accordance with Tuvaluan custom; and
(b) is reasonable in the circumstances,
shall be considered to be inconsistent with subsection (2).
(8) Nothing in or done under a law shall be considered to be inconsistent with subsection (2)-
(a) if the law was in force in Tuvalu immediately before the date on which this Constitution took effect; or
(b) to the extent that the law repeals and re-enacts any provision that has been contained in a law in force in Tuvalu at all times since that date. (Sec. 27)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
(1) Every person in Tuvalu is entitled, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, religious beliefs, disability, or lack of religious beliefs, or sex, to the following fundamental rights and freedoms: —
…
(d) the protection of the law (see section 22);
… (Sec. 11)
Limitations and/or Derogations
- English
Nothing in or done under a law shall be considered to be inconsistent with —
(a) section 16 (life); or
(b) section 17 (personal liberty); or
(c) section 21 (privacy of home and property); or
(d) section 23 (freedom of belief); or
(e) section 24 (freedom of expression); or
(f) section 25 (freedom of assembly and association); or
(g) section 26 (freedom of movement); or
(h) section 27 (freedom from discrimination),
to the extent that the law —
(i) makes any provision, in relation to a period of public emergency; or
(j) authorizes the doing, during any such period, of anything that is reasonably justifiable for the purpose of dealing with any situation that arises or exists during that period. (Sec. 36)
Limitations and/or Derogations
- English
(1) The Preamble acknowledges that Tuvalu is an Independent State based on Christian principles, the Rule of Law, Tuvaluan values, culture and tradition, and respect for human dignity.
...
(3) Within Tuvalu, the freedoms of the individual can only be exercised having regard to the rights or feelings of other people, the Charter of Duties and Responsibilities in section 43, and to the effect on society.
(4) It may therefore be necessary in certain circumstances to regulate or place some restrictions on the exercise of those rights, if their exercise-
(a) may be divisive, unsettling or offensive to the people; or
(b) may directly threaten Tuvaluan values or culture.
(5) Subject to section 15 (definition of “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society”) nothing contained in a law or done under a law shall be considered to be inconsistent with section 23 (freedom of belief); or section 24 (freedom of expression); or section 25 (freedom of assembly and association); or section 26 (freedom of movement); or section 27 (freedom from discrimination) to the extent the law makes provision regulating or placing restrictions on any exercise of the right-
(a) to spread beliefs; or
(b) to communicate opinions, ideas and information;
(c) to assemble and associate with others;
(d) to move freely or reside within Tuvalu or to enter and to leave Tuvalu; or
(e) to not be discriminated against;
if the exercise of that right may otherwise conflict with subsection (4). (Sec. 29)