SEARCH DATABASE
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
- EnglishWE THE PEOPLE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA-
…
- acknowledge the worthy customs and traditional wisdoms of our people which have come down to us from generation to generation
- pledge ourselves to guard and pass on to those who come after us our noble traditions and the Christian principles that are ours now.
… (Preamble)
Customary Law
- English(1) In the exercise of its legislative functions, it shall be the responsibility of the Nitijela, whenever and to the extent considered appropriate, to declare, by Act, the customary law in the Republic of the Marshall Islands or in any part thereof. The customary law so declared may include any provisions which, in the opinion of the Nitijela, are necessary or desirable to supplement the established rules of customary law or to take account of any traditional practice.
(2) This Section shall not be construed to authorize the making of any law that would defeat an otherwise valid claim under Article II.
(3) The Nitijela shall not proceed further than the first reading of any Bill or amendment to a Bill which, in the opinion of the Speaker, makes provision for any declaration pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Section unless a joint committee of the Council of Iroij and the Nitijela has been afforded a reasonable opportunity to make a report on the matters dealt within that Bill or amendment, and any such report has been published. (Art. X, Sec. 2)
Customary Law
- English...
(4) Parliament shall enact legislation that recognises—
(a) marriages concluded under any tradition, or system of religious, personal or family law; and
(b) any system of personal and family law under any tradition, or adhered to by persons professing a particular religion,
to the extent that any such marriages or systems of law are consistent with this Constitution. (Art. 45) - Swahili...
(4) Bunge litatunga sheria inayotambua-
(a) ndoa zilizofungwa chini ya utamaduni wowote, au mfumo wa sheria za kidini, za binafsi au za familia; na
(b) mfumo wowote wa sheria binafsi au familia chini ya utamaduni wowote, au inazingatiwa na watu ambao ni waumini wa dini fulani,
kwa kiwango kwamba ndoa yoyote ya namna hiyo au mifumo ya sheria haipingani na Katiba hii. (Kifungu cha 45)
Customary Law
- English(1) Every person is entitled to enjoy, practise, profess, maintain and promote any culture, language, tradition or religion subject to the provisions of this Constitution.
(2) All customary practices which dehumanise or are injurious to the physical and mental well-being of a person are prohibited. (Art. 26)
Customary Law
- English(1) A bill (including any amendment to a bill) which, in the opinion of the presiding officer would affect or alter any matter regulated in terms of this section shall only be introduced in the Senate.
(2) Where a bill, in terms of this section, is duly introduced the Senate shall not proceed to the Second Reading of that bill until
(a) a copy of that bill has been sent by the President to the Council of Chiefs, and
(b) a period of sixty days has elapsed since the copy was sent to the Council in terms of paragraph (a).
(3) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), where a bill affecting or altering any of the matters referred to in this section has been introduced in and passed by the Senate and has been sent to the House at least sixty days before the end of the session but has not within that period been passed by both Chambers, the bill shall be referred to a joint sitting of the Senate and the House in accordance with the provisions of the First Schedule.
(4) A bill having been duly introduced in and passed by the Senate shall not be referred to a joint sitting in terms of subsection (3) where the bill
(a) has been sent to the House at least sixty days before the end of the session, and
(b) has not been considered by the House within sixty days after the bill is so sent,
but shall, unless the Senate otherwise agrees, be presented to the King for assent.
(5) A bill shall not be presented to the King for assent in terms of subsection (4) unless the Senate so resolves by two-thirds majority of all the Senators.
(6) The provisions of this section apply to a bill which, in the opinion of the presiding officer would, if enacted, alter or affect
(a) the status, powers or privileges, designation or recognition of the Ngwenyama, Ndlovukazi or Umntfwanenkhosi Lomkhulu;
(b) the designation, recognition, removal, powers, of chief or other traditional authority;
(c) the organisation, powers or administration of Swazi (customary) courts or chiefs’ courts;
(d) Swazi law and custom, or the ascertainment or recording of Swazi law and custom;
(e) Swazi nation land; or
(f) Incwala, Umhlanga (Reed Dance), Libutfo (Regimental system) or similar cultural activity or organisation.
(7) Subject to the provisions of this section, the matters listed under subsection (6) shall continue to be regulated by Swazi law and custom. (Sec. 115)
Customary Law
- EnglishA state may provide that one of its seats is set aside for a traditional leader who shall be chosen as provided by statute for a 2-year term, in lieu of one representative elected on the basis of population. The number of congressional districts shall be reduced and reapportioned accordingly. (Art. IX, Sec. 11)
Customary Law
- English...
3. All men and women have the right to marry and found a family.
4. No person shall be forced to enter into marriage.
5. Subsections (3) and (4) shall apply to all marriages at law, custom and marriages by repute or by permanent cohabitation.
… (Sec. 22)
Customary Law
- English
…
- Indigenous law and customary law, subject to Chapter 129 of the Constitution
… (Schedule 4, Functional Areas of Concurrent National and Provincial Legislative Competence, Part A)
Customary Law
- English
The administration of justice guarantees the principle of legality; it protects [protege] and protects [tutela] the human rights, and guarantees the access to justice through the application of the law in the matters and processes of its competence.
The administration of justice recognizes citizen participation through the traditional leaders of the original Peoples of the Caribbean Coast and the Judicial Facilitators [Facilitadores Judiciales] in all the country, as alternative methods of access to justice and alternative resolution of conflicts, all in accordance with the law.
... (Art. 160) - Spanish
La administración de la justicia garantiza el principio de la legalidad; protege y tutela los derechos humanos, y garantiza el acceso a la justicia mediante la aplicación de la ley en los asuntos o procesos de su competencia.
La administración de justicia reconoce la participación ciudadana a través de los líderes tradicionales de los pueblos originarios de la Costa Caribe y los Facilitadores Judiciales en todo el país, como métodos alternos de acceso a la justicia y resolución alterna de conflictos, todo de conformidad con la ley.
… (Art. 160)
Customary Law
- English(1) There shall be a Court of Appeal.
(2) The Court of Appeal shall consist of –
(a) a President of the Court of Appeal; and
(b) such number of Justices of the Court of Appeal, not less than forty-nine of which not less than three shall be learned in Islamic personal law, and not less than three shall be learned in Customary law, as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. (Sec. 237)