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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.
ABOUT 129 RESULTS
Limitations and/or Derogations
Angola
- English1. The exercise of the rights, freedoms and guarantees of citizens may only be limited or suspended in the event of a state of war, siege or emergency, under the terms of the Constitution and the law.
2. A state of war, siege or emergency may only be declared in part or all of national territory in cases of actual or imminent aggression by foreign forces, serious threat to, or disturbance of, the constitutional democratic order, or public disaster.
3. The decision to opt for a state of war, siege or emergency, in addition to its declaration and implementation must always be limited to the necessary and appropriate actions required to maintain public order and protect general interests, observing the principle of proportionality and being limited, particularly with regard to extent and duration and the means employed, to that which is strictly necessary to promptly restore constitutional normality.
4. The declaration of a state of war, siege or emergency shall confer on the public authorities the power and responsibility to take the appropriate steps needed to restore constitutional normality.
5. Under no circumstances may the declaration of a state of war, siege or emergency effect:
a) The application of constitutional rules concerning the responsibilities and functioning of the bodies that exercise sovereign power;
b) The rights and immunities of the members of bodies that exercise sovereign power;
c) The right to life, personal integrity and personal identity;
d) Civil capacity and citizenship;
e) The non-retroactive nature of criminal law;
f) The right to a defence;
g) Freedom of conscience and religion.
6. Special law shall regulate the state of war, siege or emergency. (Art. 58) - Portuguese1. O exercício dos direitos, liberdades e garantias dos cidadãos apenas pode ser limitado ou suspenso em caso de estado de guerra, de estado de sítio ou de estado de emergência, nos termos da Constituição e da lei.
2. O estado de guerra, o estado de sítio e o estado de emergência só podem ser declarados, no todo ou em parte do território nacional, nos casos de agressão efectiva ou iminente por forças estrangeiras, de grave ameaça ou perturbação da ordem constitucional democrática ou de calamidade pública.
3. A opção pelo estado de guerra, estado de sítio ou estado de emergência, bem como a respectiva declaração e execução, devem sempre limitar-se às acções necessárias e adequadas à manutenção da ordem pública, à protecção do interesse geral, ao respeito do princípio da proporcionalidade e limitar-se, nomeadamente quanto à sua extensão, duração e meios utilizados, ao estritamente necessário ao pronto restabelecimento da normalidade constitucional.
4. A declaração do estado de guerra, do estado de sítio ou do estado de emergência confere às autoridades competência para tomarem as providências necessárias e adequadas ao pronto restabelecimento da normalidade constitucional.
5. Em caso algum a declaração do estado de guerra, do estado de sítio ou do estado de emergência pode afectar:
a) A aplicação das regras constitucionais relativas à competência e ao funcionamento dos órgãos de soberania;
b) Os direitos e imunidades dos membros dos órgãos de soberania;
c) O direito à vida, à integridade pessoal e à identidade pessoal;
d) A capacidade civil e a cidadania;
e) A não retroactividade da lei penal;
f) O direito de defesa dos arguidos;
g) A liberdade de consciência e de religião.
6. Lei especial regula o estado de guerra, o estado de sítio e o estado de emergência. (Art. 58)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Egypt
- EnglishInalienable rights and freedoms of citizens may not be suspended or reduced.
No law regulating the exercise of rights and freedoms may restrict such rights and freedoms in a manner prejudicing the substance and the essence thereof. (Art. 92) - Arabicالحقوق غير قابلة للتّصرف وحرّيات المواطن لا تقبل تعطيلاً ولا انتقاصًا.
ولا يجوز لأى قانون ينظّم ممارسة الحقوق والحرّيات أن يقيّدها بما يمسّ أصلها وجوهرها. (المادّة 92)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Gambia
- English…
(8) The rights, duties, declarations and guarantees relating to the fundamental human rights and freedoms specifically mentioned in this Chapter shall not be regarded as excluding other rights which may be prescribed by Act of the National Assembly as inherent in a democracy and intended to secure the freedom and dignity of man. (Sec. 37)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Kenya
- English(1) A right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights shall not be limited except by law, and then only to the extent that the limitation is reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom, taking into account all relevant factors including—
(a) the nature of the right or fundamental freedom;
(b) the importance of the purpose of the limitation;
(c) the nature and extent of the limitation;
(d) the need to ensure that the enjoyment of rights and fundamental freedoms by any individual does not prejudice the rights and fundamental freedoms of others; and
(e) the relation between the limitation and its purpose and whether there are less restrictive means to achieve the purpose.
(2) Despite clause (1), a provision in legislation limiting a right or fundamental freedom—
(a) in the case of a provision enacted or amended on or after the effective date, is not valid unless the legislation specifically expresses the intention to limit that right or fundamental freedom, and the nature and extent of the limitation;
(b) shall not be construed as limiting the right or fundamental freedom unless the provision is clear and specific about the right or freedom to be limited and the nature and extent of the limitation; and
(c) shall not limit the right or fundamental freedom so far as to derogate from its core or essential content.
(3) The State or a person seeking to justify a particular limitation shall demonstrate to the court, tribunal or other authority that the requirements of this Article have been satisfied.
(4) The provisions of this Chapter on equality shall be qualified to the extent strictly necessary for the application of Muslim law before the Kadhis’ courts, to persons who profess the Muslim religion, in matters relating to personal status, marriage, divorce and inheritance.
… (Art. 24) - Swahili(1) Haki au uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu haitakuwa na mpaka isipokuwa kwa sheria, na tena kwa kiwango ambacho mpaka huo una mantiki na unathibitika kwenye jamii ya uwazi na ya kidemokrasia kwa msingi wa utu wa binadamu, usawa na uhuru, kwa kuzingatia mambo yote muhimu ikiwa ni pamoja na—
(a) asili ya uhuru au haki ya msingi;
(b) umuhimu wa madhumuni ya mpaka huo;
(c) asili na kiwango cha mpaka huo;
(d) hitaji la kuhakikisha kuwa unufaikaji wa uhuru wa msingi na haki kwa mtu yeyote hauathiri uhuru wa msingi na haki ya watu wengine; na
(e) uhusiano kati ya mpaka na madhumuni yake na ikiwa kuna njia zenye ugumu kidogo za kufikia kusudi hilo.
(2) Licha ya ibara ya (1), kifungu katika sheria kinachozuia haki au uhuru wa msingi-
(a) ikiwa kuna sheria iliyotungwa au kufanyiwa marekebisho tarehe hiyo au baada ya tarehe ya utekelezaji, si halali isipokuwa sheria hiyo ielezee kwa umahususi kusudi la kuwekea mipaka haki hiyo au uhuru wa msingi na asili na kiwango cha mpaka huo;
(b) haitachukuliwa kuwa inaiwekea mpaka haki au uhuru wa msingi kama sheria hiyo haiko dhahiri na mahususi kuhusu uhuru wa msingi na haki ambayo itawekewa mipaka na asili na kiwango cha mpaka huo; na
(c) haitawekea mipaka haki au uhuru wa msingi hadi kufikia kiwango cha kupunguza kwenye maudhui yake ya msingi au muhimu.
(3) Serikali au mtu anayetafuta kuhalalisha mpaka fulani ataielezea mahakama, baraza au mamlaka nyingineyo kwamba matakwa ya Kifungu hiki yamekamilishwa.
(4) Sheria za Sura hii juu ya usawa zitahalalishwa kwa kiwango ambacho ni lazima kabisa kutumia sharia ya Kiislamu mbele ya mahakama za Kadhi, kwa watu ambao ni waumini wa dini ya Kiisilamu, katika maswala yanayohusu hadhi ya binafsi, ndoa, talaka na urithi.
… (Kifungu cha 24)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Morocco
- EnglishWhen the integrity of the National territory is threatened or [in case] that events are produced which obstruct the regular functioning of the constitutional institutions, the King can, after having consulted the Head of Government, the President of the Chamber of Representatives, the President of the Chamber of Councilors, as well as the President of the Constitutional Court, and addressing a message to the Nation, proclaim by Dahir the state of exception. By this act, the King is enabled [habilite] to take the measures that the defense of the territorial integrity imposes and to return, in the least time, to the normal functioning of the constitutional institutions.
The Parliament may not be dissolved during the exercise of exceptional powers.
The fundamental rights and freedoms provided by this Constitution remain guaranteed.
The state of exception is terminated in the same forms as its proclamation, once the conditions which have justified it do not exist. (Art. 59) - Arabicإذا كانت حوزة التّراب الوطني مهدّدة، أو وقع من الأحداث ما يعرقل السير العادي للمؤسّسات الدّستورية، أمكن للملك أن يُعلن حالة الاستثناء بظهير، بعد استشارة كل من رئيس الحكومة، ورئيس مجلس النواب، ورئيس مجلس المستشارين، ورئيس المحكمة الدستورية، وتوجيه خطاب إلى الأمّة. ويُخول الملك بذلك صلاحية اتخاذ الإجراءات التي يفرضها الدفاع عن الوحدة الترابية، ويقتضيها الرجوع، في أقرب الآجال، إلى السير العادي للمؤسسات الدستورية.
لا يحل البرلمان أثناء ممارسة السلطات الاستثنائية.
تبقى الحريات والحقوق الأساسية المنصوص عليها في هذا الدستور مضمونة.
تُرفع حالة الاستثناء بمجرد انتفاء الأسباب التي دعت إليها، وباتخاذ الإجراءات الشكلية المقررة لإعلانها. (الفصل 59)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Sao Tome and Principe
- English1. The rights enshrined in this Constitution shall not exclude any that might be specified in the laws or in the rules of international Laws.
2. The precepts relative to fundamental rights shall be interpreted in harmony with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (Art. 18) - Portuguese1. Os direitos consagrados nesta Constituição não excluem quaisquer que sejam previstos nas leis ou em regras de Direitos internacionais.
2. Os preceitos relativos a direitos fundamentais são interpretados de harmonia com a Declaração Universal dos Direitos do Homem. (Art. 18)
Limitations and/or Derogations
South Africa
- English...
(2) A provision of the Bill of Rights binds a natural or a juristic person if, and to the extent that, it is applicable, taking into account the nature of the right and the nature of any duty imposed by the right.
(3) When applying a provision of the Bill of Rights to a natural or juristic person in terms of subsection (2), a court-
(a) in order to give effect to a right in the Bill, must apply, or if necessary develop, the common law to the extent that legislation does not give effect to that right; and
(b) may develop rules of the common law to limit the right, provided that the limitation is in accordance with section 36 (1).
… (Sec. 8)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Uganda
- English1. An Act of Parliament shall not be taken to contravene the rights and freedoms guaranteed in this Chapter, if that Act authorises the taking of measures that are reasonably justifiable for dealing with a state of emergency.
2. The provisions of any enactment other than an Act of Parliament dealing with a state of emergency declared under this Constitution shall apply only to that part of Uganda where the emergency exists.
3. Without prejudice to clause (1) of this article, an Act enacted in accordance with that clause may make provision for the detention of persons where necessary for the purposes of dealing with the emergency. (Art. 46)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Botswana
- English(1) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of section 5 3 or 15 4 of this Constitution to the extent that the law authorizes the taking during any period when Botswana is at war or any period when a declaration under section 17 5 of this Constitution is in force, of measures that are reasonably justifiable for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists during that period.
… (Sec. 16)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Cameroon
- English…
(3) Freedom and security shall be guaranteed to each individual, subject to respect for the rights of others and the higher interests of the State.
… (Preamble) - French…
(3) La liberté et la sécurité sont garanties à chaque individu dans le respect des droits d'autrui et de l'intérêt supérieur de l'Etat;
… (Préambule)