Constitution of Tuvalu 1986, as amended to 2023
Marriage and Family Life
  • English


    4. Amongst the values that we the people of Tuvalu seek to maintain are those embodied in our traditional forms of community, the Falekaupule, and the strength and support of the family and family discipline.
    ... (Principles of the Constitution)

Marriage and Family Life
  • English
    (1) Freedom based on law consists of the least restriction on the activities of individuals consistent with the public welfare and the maintenance and development of Tuvalu and Tuvaluan society in accordance with this Constitution and, in particular, in accordance with the Principles set out in the Preamble.
    (2) Everyone has the right to freedom based on law, and accordingly, subject to this Constitution -
    (a) everyone has the legal right to do anything that-
    (i) does not injure others or interfere with the rights and freedoms of others; and
    (ii) is not prohibited by law; and
    (b) no-one may be-
    (i) legally obliged to do anything that is not required by law; or
    (ii) prevented by law from doing anything that complies with the provisions of paragraph (a).
    (3) This section is not intended to deny the existence, nature or effect of cultural, social, civic, family or religious obligations, or other obligations of a nonlegal nature, or to prevent such obligations being given effect by law if, and so far as, it may be thought appropriate to do so. (Sec. 10)
Marriage and Family Life
  • 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
    … (Sec. 27)

Marriage and Family Life
  • English


    (2) Under this Constitution every person has the following fundamental duties and responsibilities to themselves, their dependents, and others –
    ...
    (b) to uphold the Christian principles of a family unit, which shall comprise a marriage as between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, and their offspring as the foundation of the Tuvaluan society;
    (c) in the case of parents, to care for and not neglect their children, and to teach children to uphold their duties, Tuvaluan ways of life, and Christian principles;
    (d) in the case of children, to listen to and respect their parents, teachers and all people; to assist in the home and with their family; to do what they are directed to do, and to attend school and classes;
    (e) in the case of husbands and wives, to perform their roles in upholding family values and communal society;
    ... (Sec. 43)

Links to all sites last visited 12 April 2024
2
Part II on Bill of Rights. 
3

Part II on Bill of Rights. 

4, 5

4 - Division 5 on Enforcement of the Bill of Rights (Sections 38-42).
5 - Part II on Bill of Rights.

6
Part II on Bill of Rights. 
7

Also refer to Sec. 13: “The Principles set out in the Preamble are adopted as part of the basic law of Tuvalu, from which human rights and freedoms derive and on which they are based.”