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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.
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English1. 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.
2. Subject to the provisions of subsections (6), (7) and (8) of this section, no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or any public authority.
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, political opinions or affiliations, colour, creed, or sex 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) of this section shall not apply to any law so far as the law makes provision-
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c. whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section may be subjected to any disability or restriction or may be accorded any privilege or advantage that, having regard to its nature and to special circumstances pertaining to those persons or to persons of any other such description, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.
5. Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1) of this section to the extent that it makes provision with respect to qualifications (not being qualifications specifically relating to race, place of origin, political opinions or affiliations, colour, creed or sex) for service as a public officer or as a member of a disciplined force or for the service of a local government authority or a body corporate established by any law for public purposes.
6. Subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to anything that is expressly or by necessary implication authorised to be done by any such provision of law as is referred to in subsection (4) or (5) of this section.
7. Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that that law in question makes provision whereby persons of any such description as in mentioned in subsection (3) of this section may be subjected to any restriction on the rights and freedoms guaranteed by sections 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of this Constitution, being such a restriction as is authorised by paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (3) of section 8, subsection (2) of section 10, subsection (4) of section 11, subsection (4) of section 12 or subsection (2) of section 13, as the case may be.
8. Nothing in subsection (2) of this section shall affect any discretion relating to the institution, conduct or discontinuance of civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is vested in any person by or under this Constitution or any other law. (Sec. 14)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
We, the representatives of the Brazilian People, convened in the National Constituent Assembly to institute a democratic state for the purpose of ensuring the exercise of social and individual rights, liberty, security, well-being, development, equality and justice as supreme values of a fraternal, pluralist and unprejudiced society, founded on social harmony and committed, in the internal and inter- national orders, to the peaceful settlement of disputes, promulgate, under the protection of God, this Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil. (Preamble)
- Portuguese
Nós, representantes do povo brasileiro, reunidos em Assembléia Nacional Constituinte para instituir um Estado Democrático, destinado a assegurar o exercício dos direitos sociais e individuais, a liberdade, a segurança, o bem-estar, o desenvolvimento, a igualdade e a justiça como valores supremos de uma sociedade fraterna, pluralista e sem preconceitos, fundada na harmonia social e comprometida, na ordem interna e internacional, com a solução pacífica das controvérsias, promulgamos, sob a proteção de Deus, a seguinte CONSTITUIÇÃO DA REPÚBLICA FEDERATIVA DO BRASIL. (PREÂMBULO)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishPersons are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
… (Art. 1) - SpanishLas personas nacen libres e iguales en dignidad y derechos.
… (Art. 1)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishThe effective protection of the rights of the person, the respect of their dignity and the securing of means that allow for their perfection in an egalitarian, equitable and progressive way, within a framework of individual liberty and social justice, compatible with the public order, the general well-being and the rights of all is an essential function of the State. (Art. 8)
- SpanishEs función esencial del Estado, la protección efectiva de los derechos de la persona, el respeto de su dignidad y la obtención de los medios que le permitan perfeccionarse de forma igualitaria, equitativa y progresiva, dentro de un marco de libertad individual y de justicia social, compatibles con el orden público, el bienestar general y los derechos de todos y todas. (Art. 8)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishIt is the duty of the State to enhance the cohesiveness of the society by eliminating discriminatory distinctions between classes, between town and country, and between mental and physical labour. (Art. 34)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishThere shall be no public or private privileges, or discrimination, by reason of race, birth, social class, handicap, sex, religion or political ideology. (Art. 19)
- SpanishNo habrá fueros o privilegios ni discriminación por razón de raza, nacimiento, discapacidad, clase social, sexo, religión o ideas políticas. (Art. 19)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English1. All who are within the territory of Suriname shall have an equal claim to protection of person and property.
2. No one shall be discriminated against on the grounds of birth, sex, race, language, religious origin, education, political beliefs, economic position or any other status. (Art. 8) - Dutch1. Allen die zich op het grondgebied van Suriname bevinden hebben gelijke aanspraak op bescherming van personen en goederen.
2. Niemand mag op grond van zijn geboorte, geslacht, ras, taal, godsdienst, afkomst, educatie, politieke overtuiging, economische positie of sociale omstandigheden of enige andere status gediscrimineerd worden. (Art. 8)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishWhereas every person in Barbados is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely-
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(c) the protection of the law;
… (Sec. 11)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishWomen and men have equal rights and opportunities. Women may not be subjected to any class of discrimination. … (Art. 43)
- SpanishLa mujer y el hombre tienen iguales derechos y oportunidades. La mujer no podrá ser sometida a ninguna clase de discriminación. … (Art. 43)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishThe exercise of rights shall be governed by the following principles:
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2. All persons are equal and shall enjoy the same rights, duties and opportunities.
No one shall be discriminated against for reasons of ethnic belonging, place of birth, age, sex, gender identity, cultural identity, civil status, language, religion, ideology, political affiliation, legal record, socio-economic condition, migratory status, sexual orientation, health status, HIV carrier, disability, physical difference or any other distinguishing feature, whether personal or collective, temporary or permanent, which might be aimed at or result in the diminishment or annulment of recognition, enjoyment or exercise of rights. All forms of discrimination are punishable by law.
The State shall adopt affirmative action measures that promote real equality for the benefit of the rights-bearers who are in a situation of inequality.
… (Art. 11) - SpanishEI ejercicio de los derechos se regirá por los siguientes principios:
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2. Todas las personas son iguales y gozaran de los mismos derechos, deberes y oportunidades.
Nadie podrá ser discriminado por razones de etnia, lugar de nacimiento, edad, sexo, identidad de género, identidad cultural, estado civil, idioma, religión, ideología, filiación política, pasado judicial, condición socio-económica, condición migratoria, orientación sexual, estado de salud, portar VIH, discapacidad, diferencia física; ni por cualquier otra distinción, personal o colectiva, temporal o permanente, que tenga por objeto o resultado menoscabar o anular el reconocimiento, goce o ejercicio de los derechos. La ley sancionará toda forma de discriminación.
El Estado adoptará medidas de acción afirmativa que promuevan la igualdad real en favor de los titulares de derechos que se encuentren en situación de desigualdad.
… (Art. 11)