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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
- English1. The State shall recognise and esteem traditional authority that is legitimate according to the people and to customary law.
2. The State shall define the relationship between traditional authority and other institutions and the part that traditional authority should play in the economic, social and cultural affairs of the country, in accordance with the law. (Art. 118) - Portuguese1. O Estado reconhece e valoriza a autoridade tradicional legitimada pelas populações e segundo o direito consuetudinário.
2. O Estado define o relacionamento da autoridade tradicional com as demais instituições e enquadra a sua participação na vida económica, social e cultural do país, nos termos da lei. (Art. 118)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe institution of chieftaincy—
a. is a corporation sole with perpetual succession and capacity to sue and be sued; and
b. has capacity to hold property in trust for its subjects. (Art. 166)
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
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), (5), and (7), no law shall make provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
…
(3) In this section the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, tribe, sex, 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) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—
…
d. with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other interests of personal law;
e. for the application in the case of members of a particular race or tribe or customary law with respect to any matter to the exclusion of any law with respect to that matter which is applicable in the case of other persons;
… (Sec. 27)
Customary Law
- English(1) If any person is charged with a criminal offence, then, unless the charge is withdrawn, the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established or recognized by law.
(2) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence-
…
(d) shall be permitted to defend himself or herself before the court in person or, at his or her own expense, by a legal representative of his or her own choice;
(e) shall be afforded facilities to examine in person or by his or her legal representative the witnesses called by the prosecution before the court, and to obtain the attendance and carry out the examination of witnesses to testify on his or her behalf before the court on the same conditions as those applying to witnesses called by the prosecution;
...
(8) No person shall be convicted of a criminal offence unless that offence is defined and the penalty therefor is prescribed in a written law:
...
(12) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of-
(b) subsection (2)(d) or (2)(e) of this section to the extent that the law in question prohibits legal representation before a subordinate court in proceedings for an offence under customary law (being proceedings against any person who, under that law, is subject to that law);
...
(e) subsection (8) of this section to the extent that the law in question authorizes a court to convict a person of a criminal offence under any customary law to which, by virtue of that law, such person is subject.
... (Sec. 10)
Customary Law
- English…
(2) No person shall be exploited in any manner on the grounds of religion, custom, tradition, usage, practice or on any other grounds.
… (Art. 29) - Nepali…
(२) धर्म, प्रथा, परम्परा, संस्कार, प्रचलन वा अन्य कुनै आधारमा कुनैपनि व्यक्तिलाई कुनै किसिमले शोषण गर्न पाइने छैन ।
... (धारा २९)
Customary Law
- EnglishAn Act of Parliament must provide for the following, in accordance with the prevailing culture, customs, traditions and practices of the communities concerned—
(a) the appointment, suspension, succession and removal of traditional leaders;
(b) the creation and resuscitation of chieftainships; and
(c) the resolution of disputes concerning the appointment, suspension, succession and removal of traditional leaders; but—
(i) the appointment, removal and suspension of Chiefs must be done by the President on the recommendation of the provincial assembly of Chiefs through the National Council of Chiefs and the Minister responsible for traditional leaders and in accordance with the traditional practices and traditions of the communities concerned;
(ii) disputes concerning the appointment, suspension and removal of traditional leaders must be resolved by the President on the recommendation of the provincial assembly of Chiefs through the Minister responsible for traditional leaders;
(iii) the Act must provide measures to ensure that all these matters are dealt with fairly and without regard to political considerations;
(iv) the Act must provide measures to safeguard the integrity of traditional institutions and their independence from political interference. (Sec. 283)
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)
Customary Law
- English
The State recognizes traditional leadership [chefferie], guardian of habits [us] and customs [,] within the conditions established by the law. (Art. 151-1)
- French
L’Etat reconnait la chefferie traditionnelle gardienne des us et coutumes dans les conditions fixées par la loi. (Art. 151-1)
Customary Law
- English...
b. The Legislature shall enact laws to govern the devolution of estates and establish rights of inheritance and descent for spouses of both statutory and customary marriages so as to give adequate protection to surviving spouses and children of such marriages. (Art. 23)