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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.
Customary Law
- EnglishThe Laws of Zambia consist of—
...
d. Zambian customary law which is consistent with this Constitution; … (Art. 7)
Customary Law
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), (5), and (7), no law shall make provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
…
(3) In this section the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, tribe, sex, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description are not made subject, or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
(4) Subsection (1) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—
…
d. with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other interests of personal law;
e. for the application in the case of members of a particular race or tribe or customary law with respect to any matter to the exclusion of any law with respect to that matter which is applicable in the case of other persons;
… (Sec. 27)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe Judicial Power of the Republic shall be vested in a Supreme Court and such subordinate courts as the legislature may from time to time establish. The courts shall apply both statutory and customary laws in accordance with the standards enacted by the Legislature. … (Art. 65)
Customary Law
- English(1) In this Constitution, unless it is otherwise provided or the context otherwise requires —
…
“law” includes written law and any legislation of the United Kingdom or other enactment or instrument whatsoever which is in operation in Singapore and the common law in so far as it is in operation in Singapore and any custom or usage having the force of law in Singapore;
… (Art. 2)
Customary Law
- English(1) There is a National Council of Chiefs constituted in accordance with an Act of Parliament, to represent all Chiefs in Zimbabwe.
(2) An Act of Parliament must establish for each province, other than the metropolitan provinces, a provincial assembly of Chiefs consisting of the Chiefs in that province.
(3) So far as practicable the Chiefs in each province must be equitably represented in the National Council of Chiefs.
(4) Elections of the President, Deputy President and members of the National Council of Chiefs must be conducted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
(5) Each provincial assembly of Chiefs must elect, in accordance with the Electoral Law, Chiefs to represent the province in the Senate in terms of section 120(1)(b).
(6) The President and Deputy President of the National Council of Chiefs are elected for a term of five years and are eligible for re-election for one further such term, but a person who has served two terms as Deputy President is eligible for election as President.
(7) An Act of Parliament must provide for—
(a) the election of Chiefs to the National Council of Chiefs, and the qualifications and disqualifications of candidates for election;
(b) the oath of office to be taken by members of the National Council of Chiefs and provincial assemblies of Chiefs;
(c) the tenure of office of members of the National Council of Chiefs;
(d) the remuneration, pension and other benefits of the President, Deputy President and members of the National Council of Chiefs;
(e) the procedure to be followed at meetings of the National Council of Chiefs and provincial assemblies of Chiefs; and
(f) the establishment of a secretariat for the National Council of Chiefs and provincial assemblies of Chiefs. (Sec. 285)
Customary Law
- English…
(2) The social and cultural objective of the State shall be to build a civilized and egalitarian society by eliminating all forms of discrimination, exploitation and injustice on the grounds of religion, culture, tradition, usage, custom, practice or on any other similar grounds,
… (Art. 50) - Nepali…
(२) धर्म, संस्कृति, संस्कार, प्रथा, परम्परा, प्रचलन वा अन्य कुनै पनि आधारमा हुने सबै प्रकारका विभेद, शोषण र अन्यायको अन्त्य गरी सभ्य र समतामूलक समाजको निर्माण गर्ने राज्यको सामाजिक र सांस्कृतिक उद्देश्य हुनेछ ।
... (धारा ५०)
Customary Law
- English…
(2) Citizens may exercise popular participation in the administration of justice through the institutions of public and customary tribunals and the jury and assessor systems.
… (Art. 125)
Customary Law
- 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.
(2) This includes recognition of-
(a) the right to worship, or not to worship, in whatever way the conscience of the individual tells him; and
(b) the right to hold, to receive and to communicate opinions, ideas and information.
(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)
Customary Law
- English
The State recognizes traditional leadership [chefferie], guardian of habits [us] and customs [,] within the conditions established by the law. (Art. 151-1)
- French
L’Etat reconnait la chefferie traditionnelle gardienne des us et coutumes dans les conditions fixées par la loi. (Art. 151-1)
Customary Law
- English1. Subject to the provision of paragraph (4), (5) and (9) of this Article no law shall make any provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
…
3. In this Article, the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different person attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin political opinions colour or creed whereby person of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which person of another such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
4. Paragraph (1) of this Article shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision-
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c. with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law;
… (Art. 26)