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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.
Limitations and/or Derogations
- 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
- 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
- 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)
Limitations and/or Derogations
- English
(1) A declaration of a state of emergency cannot under any circumstances violate the right to life and physical and mental integrity of the person, the rights granted to people by law in relation to their status, capacity and nationality; the principle of nonretroactivity of criminal law, the right to defence and freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
(2) A declaration of a state of emergency cannot under any circumstances affect powers of the President of the Republic, the Parliament, the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister nor can it modify the principles relating to the responsibility of the State and public servants provided for in this Constitution. (Art. 136) - Kinyarwanda
(1) Gutangaza ibihe by’amage ntibishobora na rimwe kubangamira uburenganzira bwo kubaho, kudahungabanywa ku mubiri no mu mutwe, uburenganzira abantu bahabwa n’amategeko ku miterere n’ububasha byabo, ku bwenegihugu, ihame ry’uko itegeko mpanabyaha ridahana icyaha cyakozwe mbere y’uko rijyaho, uburenganzira bwo kwiregura n’ubwisanzure mu bitekerezo, mu mutimanama no ku idini.
(2) Gutangaza ibihe by’amage ntibishobora na rimwe kubangamira ububasha bwa Perezida wa Repubulika, ubw’Inteko Ishinga Amategeko, ubw’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga n’ubwa Minisitiri w’Intebe cyangwa guhindura amahame yerekeye ibyo Leta n’abakozi bayo bashobora kuryozwa hakurikijwe iri Tegeko Nshinga. (Ingingo ya 136) - French
(1) La déclaration de l’état d’urgence ne peut en aucun cas porter atteinte au droit à la vie, à l’intégrité physique et mentale, à l’état et à la capacité des personnes, à la nationalité, à la non-rétroactivité de la loi pénale, au droit de la défense ni à la liberté de pensée, de conscience et de religion.
(2) La déclaration de l’état d’urgence ne peut en aucun cas affecter les compétences du Président de la République, du Parlement, de la Cour Suprême et du Premier Ministre ni modifier les principes de responsabilité de l’État et de ses agents consacrés par la présente Constitution. (Art. 136)
Limitations and/or Derogations
- English
...
(5) The declaration of a State of Emergency may give the executive special powers that are necessary to deal with the situation only.
(6) The powers granted under a State of Emergency shall not include powers to violate the rights under this Constitution, unless that violation is absolutely necessary for the purposes of dealing with the emergency situation.
… (Art. 131) - Somali
...
(5) Ku-dhawaaqista xaaladda degdegga ah waxaa ay laanta fulinta siin kartaa awoodo gaar ah oo loogu baahan yahay wax ka qabashada xaaladda oo keliya.
(6) Awoodaha lagu bixiyo xaaladda degdegga ah gudaheeda kuma jirayaan awoodo loogu xadgudbayo xuquuqaha ku jira dastuurkan, haddii xadgudubkaasi aanu gebi ahaanba lagamamaarmaan u ahayn ujeeddooyinka wax ka qabashada xaaladda degdegga ah.
… (Qodobka 131aad.)
Limitations and/or Derogations
- EnglishThe rights, duties, declarations and guarantees relating to the fundamental and other human rights and freedoms specifically mentioned in this Chapter shall not be regarded as excluding others not specifically mentioned. (Art. 45)
Limitations and/or Derogations
- EnglishWhereas every person in Botswana is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his or her 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, ...
the provisions of this Chapter shall have effect for the purpose of affording protection to those rights and freedoms subject to such limitations of that protection as are contained in those provisions, being limitations designed to ensure that the enjoyment of the said rights and freedoms by any individual does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others or the public interest. (Sec. 3)
Limitations and/or Derogations
- English…
Any constitutional revision having for its object or for [its] effect the reduction of the rights and freedoms of the person or the reduction [of] the prerogatives of the Provinces and the decentralized territorial entities is formally prohibited. (Art. 220) - French…
Est formellement interdite toute révision constitutionnelle ayant pour objet ou pour effet de réduire les droits et libertés de la personne, ou de réduire les prérogatives des provinces et des entités territoriales décentralisées. (Art. 220)
Limitations and/or Derogations
- English(1) An Act of the National Assembly may authorise the taking, during any period of public emergency, of measures that are reasonably justifiable for dealing with the situation that exists in The Gambia.
(2) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of such an Act shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of sections 19, 23, 24 (other than subsections (5) to (8) thereof) or 25 of this Constitution to the extent that it is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances arising or existing during a period of public emergency for the purpose for dealing with the situation. (Sec. 35)
Limitations and/or Derogations
- English...
(3) The rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights—
(a) belong to each individual and are not granted by the State;
(b) do not exclude other rights and fundamental freedoms not in the Bill of Rights, but recognised or conferred by law, except to the extent that they are inconsistent with this Chapter; and
(c) are subject only to the limitations contemplated in this Constitution. (Art. 19) - Swahili...
(3) Haki na uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu-
(a) ni ya kila mtu na haitolewi na Serikali;
(b) haiondoi haki nyinginezo na uhuru wa msingi ambao haupo kwenye Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu, lakini hutambuliwa au hutolewa na sheria, isipokuwa kwa kiwango ambacho zipo kinyume na Sura hii; na
(c) huzingatia tu mipaka iliyobainishwa katika Katiba hii. (Kifungu cha 19)