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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 this Part, the principles and rules that formed, immediately before Independence Day, the principles and rules of common law and equity in England are adopted, and shall be applied and enforced, as part of the underlying law, except if, and to the extent that-
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(c) in their application to any particular matter they are inconsistent with custom as adopted by Part I. (Schedule 2.2)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe sources of legislation in South Sudan shall be:
a. this Constitution;
b. customs and traditions of the people;
c. the will of the people; and
d. any other relevant source. (Art. 5)
Customary Law
- English(1) Land in Kenya shall be held, used and managed in a manner that is equitable, efficient, productive and sustainable, and in accordance with the following principles—
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(f) elimination of gender discrimination in law, customs and practices related to land and property in land;
… (Art. 60) - Swahili(1) Ardhi nchini Kenya itashikiliwa, kutumiwa na kusimamiwa kwa njia ambayo ni yenye usawa, fanisi, yenye tija na endelevu, na kwa kufuata kanuni zifuatazo-
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(f) uondoaji wa ubaguzi wa kijinsia katika sheria, mila na desturi zinazohusiana na ardhi na mali katika ardhi;
… (Kifungu cha 60)
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(1) In this Constitution, unless it is otherwise provided or the context otherwise requires:
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"Law" means any law for the time being in force in Samoa; and includes this Constitution, any Act of Parliament and any proclamation, regulation, order, by-law or other act of authority made thereunder, the English common law and equity for the time being in so far as they are not excluded by any other law in force in Samoa, and any custom or usage which has acquired the force of law in Samoa or any part thereof under the provisions of any Act or under a judgement of a Court of competent jurisdiction:
… (Art. 111) - Samoan(1) I lenei Faavae, vagana ai ua ese ona aiaia po o le ese ai le aano e manaomia:
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“Tulafono” o lona uiga o so o se tulafono ua faamamaluina mo lenei vaitaimi i Samoa; ma e aofia ai lenei Faavae, so o se Tulafono a le Palemene ma so o se faaaliga faasalalau, tulafono faatonutonu, poloaiga, tulafono-iti po o se tasi tulafono o le pulega faavae ua faia ai i ina, tulafono tau le aganuu a Egelani ma le faamasinoga tonu tau le loto fuatiaifo o lo o faaaogaina mo lenei taimi i se tulaga e oo atu i ai pe afai e le o tuuesea e se tasi lava tulafono o lo o faamamaluina i Samoa, ma so o se tu ma aganuu ua i ai le malosi faapei o le tulafono i totonu o Samoa, po o se tasi o ona vaega i lalo o aiaiga o so o se tasi o Tulafono po o lalo o se faaiuga a se Faamasinoga tau le puleaga tomai;
… (Mataupu 111)
Customary Law
- English…
The civil and military Courts and Tribunals apply the duly ratified international treaties, the laws, [and] the regulatory acts, provided that they are in conformity with the laws as well as customary [law] unless the latter is contrary to the public order or to morality.
… (Art. 153) - French…
Les Cours et Tribunaux, civils et militaires, appliquent les traités internationaux dûment ratifiés, les lois, les actes réglementaires pour autant qu’ils soient conformes aux lois ainsi que la coutume pour autant que celle-ci ne soit pas contraire à l’ordre public ou aux bonnes mœurs.
… (Art. 153)
Customary Law
- English(1) ...
(f) No persons shall be compelled to give testimony against themselves or their spouses, who shall include partners in a marriage by customary law, and no Court shall admit in evidence against such persons testimony which has been obtained from such persons in violation of Article 8(2)(b) hereof.
... (Art. 12)
Customary Law
- English…
4. The State shall enforce the right of women to eliminate the influences of harmful customs. Laws, customs and practices that oppress or cause bodily or mental harm to women are prohibited.
… (Art. 35) - Amharic…
4. ሴቶች ከጐጂ ባሕል ተጽዕኖ የመላቀቅ መብታቸውን መንግሥት ማስከበር አለበት፡፡ ሴቶችን የሚጨቁኑ ወይም በአካላቸው ወይም በአዕምሮአቸው ላይ ጉዳት የሚያስከትሉ ሕጐች፣ ወጐችና ልማዶች የተከለከሉ ናቸው፡፡
… (አንቀጽ 35)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe government of the rural native indigenous autonomies is exercised through their own norms and forms of organization, with the name that corresponds to each town, nation or community, as established in their statutes and subject to the Constitution and the law. (Art. 296)
- SpanishEl gobierno de las autonomías indígena originario campesinas se ejercerá a través de sus propias normas y formas de organización, con la denominación que corresponda a cada pueblo, nación o comunidad, establecidas en sus estatutos y en sujeción a la Constitución y a la Ley. (Art. 296)
Customary Law
- English
(1) The Preamble acknowledges that Tuvalu is an Independent State based on Christian principles, the Rule of Law, Tuvaluan values, culture and tradition, and respect for human dignity.
(2) This includes recognition of-
(a) the right to worship, or not to worship, in whatever way the conscience of the individual tells him; and
(b) the right to hold, to receive and to communicate opinions, ideas and information.
(3) Within Tuvalu, the freedoms of the individual can only be exercised having regard to the rights or feelings of other people, the Charter of Duties and Responsibilities in section 43 and to the effect on society.
(4) It may therefore be necessary in certain circumstances to regulate or place some restrictions on the exercise of those rights, if their exercise—
(a) may be divisive, unsettling or offensive to the people; or
(b) may directly threaten Tuvaluan values or culture.
(5) Subject to section 15 (definition of “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society”) nothing contained in a law or done under a law shall be considered to be inconsistent with section 23 (freedom of belief); or section 24 (freedom of expression); or section 25 (freedom of assembly and association); or section 26 (freedom of movement); or section 27 (freedom from discrimination) to the extent the law makes provision regulating or placing restrictions on any exercise of the right-
(a) to spread beliefs; or
(b) to communicate opinions, ideas and information;
(c) to assemble and associate with others;
(d) to move freely or reside within Tuvalu or to enter and to leave Tuvalu; or
(e) to not be discriminated against;
if the exercise of that right may otherwise conflict with subsection (4). (Sec. 29)