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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.
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Limitations and/or Derogations
Liberia
- Englisha. The President may, in consultation with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, proclaim and declare and the existence of a state of emergency in the Republic or any part thereof. Acting pursuant thereto, the President may suspend or affect certain rights, freedoms and guarantees contained in this Constitution and exercise such other emergency powers as may be necessary and appropriate to take care of the emergency, subject, however, to the limitations contained in this Chapter.
b. A state of emergency may be declared only where there is a threat or outbreak of war or where there is civil unrest affecting the existence, security or well-being of the Republic amounting to a clear and present danger. (Art. 86)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Mozambique
- EnglishThe declaration of a state of siege or a state of emergency shall in no event restrict or suspend the right to life, the right to personal integrity, the right to civil capacity and to citizenship, the non-retroactivity of criminal law, the right of accused persons to a defence, and freedom of religion. (Art. 294)
- PortugueseA declaração do estado de sítio ou de emergência em nenhum caso pode limitar ou suspender os direitos à vida, à integridade pessoal, à capacidade civil e à cidadania, a não retroactividade da lei penal, o direito de defesa dos arguidos e a liberdade de religião.(Art. 294)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Seychelles
- English(1) This article shall apply during any period of public emergency.
(2) Notwithstanding this Chapter10 but subject to clause (3), a law may provide for the taking during a period of public emergency of such measures as are strictly required to meet the exigencies of the situation.
(3) A law referred to in clause (2) shall not provide for the taking of measures that are inconsistent with which articles 15, 16, 17, 18 (3) 19 (2) to (6) and (11), 21 and 27.
… (Art. 43)
Limitations and/or Derogations
South Sudan
- EnglishDuring a state of emergency, the President may, by law or orders, take any measures that shall not derogate from the provisions of this Constitution except as provided herein:
a. to suspend part of the Bill of Rights. However, there shall be no infringement on the right to life, prohibition against slavery, prohibition against torture, the right of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religious creed, the right to litigation or the right to fair trial;
b. to dissolve or suspend any institution of the National Executive;
c. to dissolve or suspend any of the state organs or suspend such powers conferred upon the states under this Constitution; and
d. to take any such measures as deemed necessary to the state of emergency, which shall have the force of law. (Art. 190)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Zimbabwe
- English(1) In addition to the limitations permitted by section 86, the fundamental rights and freedoms set out in this Chapter may be further limited by a written law providing for measures to deal with situations arising during a period of public emergency, but only to the extent permitted by this section and the Second Schedule.10
(2) A written law referred to in subsection (1) and any legislative measures taken under that law, must be published in the Gazette.
(3) Any limitation which a written law referred to in subsection (1) imposes on a fundamental right or freedom set out in this Chapter must not be greater than is strictly required by the emergency.
(4) No law that provides for a declaration of a state of emergency, and no legislative or other measure taken in consequence of such a declaration, may—
(a) indemnify, or permit or authorise an indemnity for, the State or any institution or agency of the government at any level, or any other person, in respect of any unlawful act; or
(b) limit any of the rights referred to in section 86(3), or authorise or permit any of those rights to be violated. (Sec. 87)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Angola
- English1. The law may only restrict rights, freedoms and guarantees in cases expressly prescribed in the Constitution and these restrictions must be limited to what is necessary, proportional and reasonable in a free and democratic society in order to safeguard other constitutionally protected rights and interests.
2. Laws restricting rights, freedoms and guarantees must be of a general and abstract nature and may not have a retroactive effect nor reduce the extent or scope of the essential content of constitutional precepts. (Art. 57) - Portuguese1. A lei só pode restringir os direitos, liberdades e garantias nos casos expressamente previstos na Constituição, devendo as restrições limitar-se ao necessário, proporcional e razoável numa sociedade livre e democrática, para salvaguardar outros direitos ou interesses constitucionalmente protegidos.
2. As leis restritivas de direitos, liberdades e garantias têm de revestir carácter geral e abstracto e não podem ter efeito retroactivo nem diminuir a extensão nem o alcance do conteúdo essencial dos preceitos constitucionais. (Art. 57)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Chad
- EnglishNo procedure of revision may be engaged or pursued when it infringes:
…
- the freedoms and fundamental rights of the citizen;
… (Art. 227) - Arabicلا يجوز إجراء أي تنقيح أو السعي إليه عندما ينتهك:
...
- حريات المواطن وحقوقه الأساسية؛
... (المادة 227) - FrenchAucune procédure de révision ne peut être engagée ou poursuivie lorsqu'elle porte atteinte:
…
- aux libertés et droits fondamentaux du citoyen;
… (Art. 227)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Eswatini
- EnglishNotwithstanding anything in this Constitution, there shall be no derogation from the enjoyment of the following rights and freedoms
(a) life, equality before the law and security of person;
(b) the right to fair hearing;
(c) freedom from slavery or servitude;
(d) the right to an order in terms of section 35 (1); and
(e) freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. (Sec. 38)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Guinea-Bissau
- English1. Fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution do not negate other rights foreseen by the laws of the Republic and applicable rules of international law.
2. Constitutional and legal principles relating to fundamental rights have to be interpreted in harmony with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (Art. 29) - Portuguese1 - Os direitos fundamentais consagrados na Constituição não excluem quaisquer outros constantes das demais leis da República e das regras aplicáveis de direito internacional.
2 - Os preceitos constitucionais e legais relativos aos direitos fundamentais devem ser interpretados de harmonia com a Declaração Universal dos Direitos do Homem. (Art. 29)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Malawi
- English1. No derogation from rights contained in this Chapter8 shall be permissible save to the extent provided for by this section and no such derogation shall be made unless there has been a declaration of a state of emergency within the meaning of this section.
2. There shall be no derogation with regard to—
a. the right to life;
b. the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
c. the prohibition of genocide;
d. the prohibition of slavery, the slave trade and slave-like practices;
e. the prohibition of imprisonment for failure to meet contractual obligations;
f. the prohibition on retrospective criminalization and the retrospective imposition of greater penalties for criminal acts;
g. the right to equality and recognition before the law;
h. the right to freedom of conscience, belief, thought and religion and to academic freedom; or
i. the right to habeas corpus.
…
4. Derogation from the rights contained in this Chapter, other than the rights listed in subsection (2), shall be permissible during a state of emergency within the meaning of this section and to the extent that—
a. such derogation is consistent with the obligations of Malawi under international law; and
b. in the case of—
i. war or threat of war, it is strictly required to prevent the lives of defensive combatants and civilians as well as legitimate military objectives from being placed in direct jeopardy; or
ii. a widespread natural disaster, it is strictly required for the protection and relief of those people and facilities whether in or outside the disaster area.
… (Sec. 45)