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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
- English…
(5) Notwithstanding anything in Article 152, in the State of Sabah or Sarawak a native language in current use in the State may be used in native courts or for any code of native law and custom, and in the case of Sarawak, until otherwise provided by enactment of the Legislature, may be used by a member addressing the Legislative Assembly or any committee thereof. (Art. 161) - Malay…
(5) Walau apa pun apa-apa jua dalam Perkara 152, di dalam Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak sesuatu bahasa ibunda yang pada masa ini digunakan di Negeri itu boleh digunakan di dalam mahkamah anak negeri atau bagi apa-apa kanun undang-undang dan adat anak negeri, dan dalam hal Sarawak, sehingga diperuntukkan selainnya melalui enakmen Badan Perundangan, bahasa ibunda itu boleh digunakan oleh ahli apabila berucap di dalam Dewan Undangan atau mana-mana jawatankuasanya. (Perkara 161)
Customary Law
- English(1) There shall be a Council of Iroij of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
…
(3) If, in any district, a person or group of persons becomes recognized, pursuant to the customary law8 or to any traditional practice, as having rights and obligations analogous to those of Iroijlaplap, that person, or a member of that group nominated by the group, shall be deemed to be eligible to be a member of the Council of Iroij as though he were an Iroijlaplap.
…
(5) If, in the case of any district, there is for any reason no person eligible to be a member of the Council of Iroij in accordance with paragraphs (2) or (3) of this Section, the Council of Iroij shall as soon as practicable proceed, by resolution, to appoint as a member of the Council a person who, in the opinion of the Council, having regard to the customary law and any traditional practice, is qualified by reason of his family ties to a person who, but for that reason, would have been eligible to be a member of the Council from that district.
… (Art. III, Sec. 1)
Customary Law
- EnglishThere shall be but one law in Tonga for chiefs and commoners for non-Tongans and Tongans. No laws shall be enacted for one class and not for another class but the law shall be the same for all the people of this land. (Clause 4)
- Tongan‘E taha pe ‘a e lao ‘o Tonga ni ki he hou‘eiki mo e me‘avale ki he fa‘ahinga kakai kotoa pe ‘oku ‘ikai ko e Tonga mo e Tonga. ‘E ‘ikai fokotu‘u ha lao ‘i he fonua ni ki ha fa‘ahinga pea tuku ha fa‘ahinga ka ‘e taha pe mo mamafa tatau pe ki he kakai kotoa pe ‘o e fonua ni. (Kupu 4)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe authorities of the indigenous communities, peoples, and nations shall perform jurisdictional duties, on the basis of their ancestral traditions and their own system of law, within their own territories, with a guarantee for the participation of, and decision-making by, women. The authorities shall apply their own standards and procedures for the settlement of internal disputes, as long as they are not contrary to the Constitution and human rights enshrined in international instruments.
The State shall guarantee that the decisions of indigenous jurisdiction are observed by public institutions and authorities. These decisions shall be subject to monitoring of their constitutionality. The law shall establish the mechanisms for coordination and cooperation between indigenous jurisdiction and regular jurisdiction. (Art. 171) - SpanishLas autoridades de las comunidades, pueblos y nacionalidades indígenas ejercerán funciones jurisdiccionales, con base en sus tradiciones ancestrales y su derecho propio, dentro de su ámbito territorial, con garantía de participación y decisión de las mujeres. Las autoridades aplicarán normas y procedimientos propios para la solución de sus conflictos internos, y que no sean contrarios a la Constitución y a los derechos humanos reconocidos en instrumentos internacionales.
El Estado garantizará que las decisiones de la jurisdicción indígena sean respetadas por las instituciones y autoridades públicas. Dichas decisiones estarán sujetas al control de constitucionalidad. La ley establecerá los mecanismos de coordinación y cooperación entre la jurisdicción indígena y la jurisdicción ordinaria. (Art. 171)
Customary Law
- English…
The people of all nationalities have the freedom to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, and to preserve or reform their own ways and customs. (Art. 4) - Chinese…
各民族都有使用和发展自己的语言文字的自由,都有保持或者改革自己的风俗习惯的自由 (第四条)
Customary Law
- EnglishWhere a traditional leader or cultural leader exists in a region the traditional or cultural leader shall-
a. be the titular head of the regional government;
b. be the titular head of the regional assembly and shall open, address and close the sessions of the regional assembly; and
c. enjoy the benefits, privileges and roles as provided for in article 246 of this Constitution and by Parliament and the regional assembly. (Fifth Schedule: Regional governments, Art. 8)
Customary Law
- EnglishAn Act of Parliament must provide for the establishment, membership and procedures of an Integrity and Ethics Committee of Chiefs, to exercise the following functions—
(a) to develop and enforce integrity and ethical conduct on the part of traditional leaders;
(b) to resolve disputes between traditional leaders;
(c) to deal with complaints against traditional leaders. (Sec. 287)
Customary Law
- English(1) There shall be a Ntlo ya Dikgosi for Botswana which shall consist of not less than 33 nor more than 35 Members which shall be constituted as follows-
(a) one person from each of the following areas, which person for the time being performs the functions of the office of Kgosi in respect of such areas-
(i) Barolong Farms in the Southern District,
(ii) Chobe in the North West District,
(iii) Ga Malete in the South East District,
(iv) Ga Mmangwato in the Central District,
(v) Ghanzi District,
(vi) Goo Tawana in the North West District,
(vii) Kgalagadi District,
(viii) Kgatleng District,
(ix) Kweneng District,
(x) Ngwaketse in the Southern District,
(xi) North East District, and
(xii) Tlokweng in the South East District;
(b) five persons who shall be appointed by the President; and
(c) such number of persons, not being more than 20, as may be selected under section 78(4)(c) of this Constitution.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1)(a), the number of persons referred to in that subsection may, by virtue of section 78 (5), be less than 12, but not less than 10. (Sec. 77)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe State shall safeguard the free exercise of the rites of religions and creeds in accordance with the customs observed in the Kingdom, if such is not inconsistent with public order or morality. (Art. 14)
- Arabicتحمي الدولة حرية القيام بشعائر الأديان والعقائد طبقاً للعادات المرعية في المملكة ما لم تكن مخلة بالنظام العام او منافية للاداب. (المادة 14)
Customary Law
- English
(1) There shall be a Land and Titles Court comprising of:
(a) Land and Titles First Court;
(b) Land and Titles High Court; and
(c) Land and Titles Court of Appeal and Review,
and all appointments and with such jurisdiction in relation to matai title and customary lands provided in this 'Part IX Land and Titles Court' of the Constitution, or an Act of Parliament.
(2) The Courts in this Part IX Land and Titles Court has special jurisdiction, it governs a legal system different and separate from that of the Civil and Criminal Courts in Part VI; and has special individual jurisdiction over the subject of Samoan customs and usages in relation to matai titles and customary lands.
(3) All persons are entitled to the protection of their custom rights the subject of the jurisdiction of the courts in this Part. (Art. 104) - Samoan
(1) O le a i ai se Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa e aofia ai:
(a) Faamasinoga Muamua o Fanua ma Suafa;
(b) Faamasinoga Maualuga o Fanua ma Suafa; ma le
(c) Faamasinoga o Talosaga ma Iloiloga o Fanua ma Suafa,
ma tofiga ma lana puleaga faatatau i mataupu e faasino i suafa matai ma eleele faa-le-aganuu ua aiaia i lenei 'Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa' o le Faavae, po o se Tulafono a le Palemene.
(2) O Faamasinoga i lenei Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa, e i ai puleaga faapitoa, na te puleaina se faiga faaletulafono ese ma e tu ese mai i Faamasinoga o Mataupu Tau le Va o Tagata ma Solitulafono o i ai i le Vaega VI; ma e i ai le puleaga toatasi faapitoa i mataupu tau i tu ma aganuu faa-Samoa ma Jo latou faaaogaina e faatatau i suafa matai ma eleele faa-le-aganuu.
(3) E agavaa tagata uma i le puipuiga o a latou aia tatau i aganuu faa-Samoa, o le mataupu autu o le puleaga a Faamasinoga i lenei Vaega. (Mataupu 104)