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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(1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (4), (5) and (7) of this section, no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
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(3) In this section, the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by sex, race, 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) of this section shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision-
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(c) for the application, in the case of persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section (or of persons connected with such persons), of the law with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other like matters which is the personal law of persons of that description;
… (Sec. 16)
Customary Law
- English(1) There shall be a Council of Iroij of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
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(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.
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(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
- EnglishThe law establishes the rules concerning:
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- the procedure according to which customs [coutumes] will be declared and brought into harmony with the fundamental principles of the Constitution;
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- the status of the traditional leadership [chefferie];
… (Art. 99) - FrenchLa loi fixe les règles concernant :
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- la procédure selon laquelle les coutumes seront constatées et mises en harmonie avec les principes fondamentaux de la Constitution ;
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- le statut de la chefferie traditionnelle ;
... (Art. 99)
Customary Law
- English(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other provision of any law, any act that is done under a valid law but in the particular case-
(a) is harsh or oppressive; or
(b) is not warranted by, or is disproportionate to, the requirements of the particular circumstances or of the particular case; or
(c) is otherwise not, in the particular circumstances, reasonably justifiable in a democratic society having a proper regard for the rights and dignity of mankind, is an unlawful act.
… (Sec. 41)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe customary and traditional remedies [réparations] may not be made an obstacle to public action. (Art. 163)
- Arabicلا يجوز أن تعيق التدابير التصحيحية العرفية والتقليدية العمل العام. (المادة 163)
- FrenchLes réparations coutumières et traditionnelles ne peuvent faire obstacle à l'action publique. (Art. 163)
Customary Law
- EnglishWe the people of Solomon Islands, proud of the wisdom and the worthy customs of our ancestors, mindful of our common and diverse heritage and conscious of our common destiny, do now, under the guiding hand of God, establish the sovereign democratic State of Solomon Islands; …
Agree and pledge that –
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(d) we shall cherish and promote the different cultural traditions within Solomon Islands;
... (Preamble)
Customary Law
- English...
(4) The recognition of the fundamental rights set out in this Chapter11 does not deny the existence of any other rights that are recognized or conferred by Shari'ah, or by customary law or legislation to the extent that they are consistent with the Shari'ah and the Constitution. (Art. 40) - Somali…
(4) Xuquuqda asaasiga ah ee ku xusan Cutubkan kama hor-imaaan karaan xuquuqda kale ee Shareecada Islaamku jideysey iyo xeer-dhaqameedka la jaanqaadi kara Shareecada iyo Dastuurka. (Qodobka 40aad.)
Customary Law
- English(1) Subject to subsections (4), (5) and (7), no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
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(3) In this section the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin, birth out of wedlock, political opinions or affiliations, colour, sex 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 that 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
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(c) for the application, in the case of persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) (or of persons connected with such persons) of the law with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other like matters that is the personal law of persons of that description;
… (Sec. 15)
Customary Law
- English
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(5) In determining whether a law or act is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society that has a proper respect for human rights and dignity, a court may have regard to —
(a) traditional standards, values and practices, as well as previous laws and judicial decisions, of Tuvalu;
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(6) Notwithstanding subsection (5), any law, or any act done under a valid law, which accords with traditional standards, values and practices shall not contravene subsection (1) above, unless the relevant traditional standard, value or practice would be regarded by a resolution of Parliament supported by the votes of two-thirds of the total membership as one which should be eliminated. (Sec. 15)
Customary Law
- English…
(10) The State shall take steps to encourage the integration of appropriate customary values into the fabric of national life through formal and informal education and shall ensure that appropriate customary and cultural values are adapted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of the society as a whole.
… (Sec. 60)