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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
- EnglishNothing in this Constitution takes away a role or function of a traditional leader as recognized by custom and tradition, or prevents a traditional leader from being recognized, honored, and given formal or functional roles at any level of government as may be prescribed by this Constitution or by statute. (Art. V, Sec. 1)
Customary Law
- English
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WHEREAS the Leaders of Samoa have declared that Samoa should be an Independent State based on Christian principles and Samoan custom and tradition;
… (Preamble) - Samoan
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ONA ua faaalia e Taitai o Samoa le tatau ona avea Samoa ma Malo Tutoatasi e faavaeina i luga o talitonuga faa-Kerisiano ma tu ma aganuu a Samoa;
… (Uputomua)
Customary Law
- English(1) Chiefs are the footstool of iNgwenyama and iNgwenyama rules through the Chiefs.
(2) The iNgwenyama may appoint any person to be chief over any area.
(3) The general rule is that every umphakatsi (Chief’s residence) is headed by a Chief who is appointed by iNgwenyama after the Chief has been selected by the lusendvo (family council) and shall vacate office in like manner.
(4) The position of a Chief as a local head of one or more areas is usually hereditary and is regulated by Swazi law and custom.
(5) Unless the situation otherwise requires, a chief shall assume office at the age of eighteen years or so soon thereafter as the period of mourning comes to an end.
(6) A Chief, as a symbol of unity and a father of the community, does not take part in partisan politics.
(7) A Chief may be appointed to any public office for which the Chief may be otherwise qualified.
(8) The powers and functions of chiefs are in accordance with Swazi law and custom or conferred by Parliament or iNgwenyama from time to time.
(9) In the exercise of the functions and duties of his office a Chief enforces a custom, tradition, practice or usage which is just and not discriminatory. (Sec. 233)
Customary Law
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4. The State shall recognise and value the norms and customs of East Timor that are not contrary to the Constitution and to any legislation dealing specifically with customary law. (Sec. 2) - Tetum…
4. Estadu rekoñese no valoriza norma no lisan rai-Timór nian ne’ebé la’ós kontra Lei-Inan no mós lejizlasaun seluk tan ne’ebé ko’alia kona-ba direitu ne’ebé mai husi lisan no toman. (Art. 2) - Portuguese…
4. O Estado reconhece e valoriza as normas e os usos costumeiros de Timor-Leste que não contrariem a Constituição e a legislação que trate especialmente do direito costumeiro. (Art. 2)
Customary Law
- English(1) A Customary Court of Appeal of a State shall exercise appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involve questions of Customary law.
(2) For the purpose of this section, a Customary Court of Appeal of a State shall exercise such jurisdiction and decide such questions as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of the State for which it is established. (Sec. 282)
Customary Law
- EnglishEach rural, native, or indigenous autonomy shall draft its Statute according to its own norms and procedures, in conformity with the Constitution and the law. (Art. 292)
- SpanishCada autonomía indígena originario campesina elaborará su Estatuto, de acuerdo a sus normas y procedimientos propios, según la Constitución y la Ley. (Art. 292)
Customary Law
- English
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(2) Under this Constitution every person has the following fundamental duties and responsibilities to themselves, their dependents, and others –
(a) to respect society, communities, islands, leaders, and cultural practices and norms; to know their duties and roles in society despite different religious beliefs and practices,
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(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;
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(f) in the case of religious leaders, to respect Island Community customs and traditions, ...
(g) In the case of leaders, to respect Island Community customs and traditions;
... (Sec. 43)
Customary Law
- English1. The state shall recognise the status, role and functions of the institutions of the traditional authorities founded in accordance with customary law which do not contradict the Constitution.
2. Recognition of the institutions of the traditional authorities shall oblige public and private entities to respect, in their relations with these institutions, the values and norms of customary law that are observed within traditional political and community organisations and do not conflict with the Constitution or the dignity of the human person. (Art. 223) - Portuguese1. O Estado reconhece o estatuto, o papel e as funções das instituições do poder tradicional constituídas de acordo com o direito consuetudinário e que não contrariam a Constituição.
2. O reconhecimento das instituições do poder tradicional obriga as entidades públicas e privadas a respeitarem, nas suas relações com aquelas instituições, os valores e normas consuetudinários observados no seio das organizações político-comunitárias tradicionais e que não sejam conflituantes com a Constituição nem com a dignidade da pessoa humana. (Art. 223)
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
- EnglishMarriage and divorce; infants and minors; adoption; wills, intestacy and succession; joint family and partition; all matters in respect of which parties in judicial proceedings were immediately before the commencement of this Constitution subject to their personal law. (Seventh Schedule: List III – Concurrent List, Art. 5)
- Hindiविवाह और तलाक; शिशु और नाबालिग; गोद लेना; वसीयत, निर्वासीयतता और उत्तराधिकार; संयुक्त परिवार और विभाजन; सभी मामले जिनके संबंध में न्यायिक कार्यवाहियाँ इस संविधान के लागू होने से पहले उनके व्यक्तिगत कानून के अधीन थीं। (सातवीं अनुसूची: सूची III – समवर्ती सूची, अनुच्छेद 5)