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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.
Protection from Violence
- EnglishWhereas every person in Barbados is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely-
(a) life, liberty and security of the person;
… (Sec. 11)
Protection from Violence
- English(1) No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading punishment or other treatment.
… (Sec. 15)
Public Institutions and Services
- English
(1) The power to grant any award under any pensions law for the time being in force in Barbados (other than an award to which, under that law, the person to whom it is payable is entitled as of right) and, in accordance with any provisions in that behalf contained in any such law, to withhold, reduce in amount or suspend any award payable under any such law is hereby vested in the President.
…
(7) In this section “pensions law” means any law relating to the grant to any person or to the widow, children, dependants or personal representatives of that person, of an award of any pension, compensation, gratuity or other like allowance in respect of the service of that person in a public office. (Sec. 104)
Public Institutions and Services
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of section 104, the law applicable to the grant and payment to any officer, or to his widow, children, dependants or personal representatives, of any pension, compensation, gratuity or other like allowance (in this section and section 104 referred to as an “ award “) in respect of the service of that officer in a public office shall be that in force on the relevant date or any later law that is not less favourable to that person.
… (Sec. 103)
Public Institutions and Services
- English…
Now, therefore, the people of Barbados
…
(d) resolve that the operation of the economic system shall promote the general welfare by the equitable distribution of the material resources of the community, by the human conditions under which all men shall labour and by the undeviating recognition of ability, integrity and merit;
… (Preamble)
Status of the Constitution
- English
(1) The existing law shall continue to be in force but shall be construed with such modifications, adaptations, qualifications and exceptions as may be necessary to bring it into conformity with sections 12 to 235 of this Constitution.
(2) For the purpose of this section “existing law” means a law that
(a) was enacted or made before 30th November, 1966 and has continued to be part of the law of Barbados at all times since that day;
(b) re-enacted a law that was enacted or made before 30th November, 1966 without alteration; or
(c) altered a law that was enacted or made before 30th November, 1966 and does not thereby render that law inconsistent with sections 12 to 23 of this Constitution in a manner in which, or to an extent to which, it was not previously so inconsistent.
… (Sec. 26)
Status of the Constitution
- EnglishThis Constitution is the supreme law of Barbados and, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, if any other law is inconsistent with this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. (Sec. 1)
Status of International Law
- English(1) The Attorney-General may, in the case of any offence to which this section applies, give general or special directions to the Director of Public Prosecutions as to the exercise of the powers conferred upon the Director of Public Prosecutions by section 79, and the Director of Public Prosecutions shall act in accordance with those directions.
(2) This section applies to-
…
(b) any offence under an enactment relating to any right or obligation of Barbados under international law. (Sec. 79A)
Status of International Law
- English(1) The Caribbean Court of Justice
(a) shall have exclusive and compulsory jurisdiction in
(i) disputes between Contracting Parties to the Agreement;
(ii) disputes between any Contracting Parties to the Agreement and the Community;
(iii) referrals from national courts or tribunals of Contracting Parties to the Agreement;
(iv) concerning the interpretation and application of the Treaty;
(b) shall have exclusive jurisdiction
(i) to deliver advisory opinions concerning the interpretation and application of the Treaty upon the request of Contracting Parties or the Community;
(ii) where there is a dispute as to whether the Court has jurisdiction in a matter, to decide whether the Court has such jurisdiction; and
(c) shall be the final Court of Appeal from any decision given by the Court of Appeal.
(2) Where a court or tribunal is seised of an issue whose resolution involves a question concerning the interpretation or application of the Treaty, the court or tribunal shall, if it considers that a decision on the question is necessary to enable it to deliver judgment, before delivering judgment, refer the question to the Court for determination.
(3) The Court shall be a superior court of record and, save as otherwise provided by Parliament, shall have all the powers of such a court.
(4) A decision of the Court concerning Barbados shall be enforced in Barbados in like manner as if it were a decision of the High Court. (Sec. 79D)
Status of International Law
- EnglishFor the purposes of this Chapter6,
"Agreement" means the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice, to which Barbados is a party, and which was signed at Bridgetown, Barbados on 14th February, 2002;
"Court" means the Caribbean Court of Justice;
…
"Treaty" means the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community, including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy,
(a) which was signed in the Bahamas on 5th July, 2001; and
(b) to which Barbados is a party. (Sec. 79B)