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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
- English(1) 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.
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(3) In this section, the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by sex, race, 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) of this section shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision-
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(c) for the application, in the case of persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section (or of persons connected with such persons), of the law with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other like matters which is the personal law of persons of that description;
… (Sec. 16)
Customary Law
- English1. The Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs shall be composed of custom chiefs elected by their peers sitting in District Councils of Chiefs.
… (Art. 29) - French1) Le Conseil des Chefs Malvatumauri est composé des chefs coutumiers élus par leurs pairs au sein des conseils provinciaux des chefs.
… (Art. 29)
Customary Law
- EnglishIndigenous communes, communities, peoples and nations are recognized and guaranteed, in conformity with the Constitution and human rights agreements, conventions, declarations and other international instruments, the following collective rights:
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10. To create, develop, apply and practice their own legal system or common law, which cannot infringe constitutional rights, especially those of women, children and adolescents.
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The State shall guarantee the enforcement of these collective rights without any discrimination, in conditions of equality and equity between men and women. (Art. 57) - SpanishSe reconoce y garantizará a las comunas, comunidades, pueblos y nacionalidades indígenas, de conformidad con la Constitución y con los pactos, convenios, declaraciones y demás instrumentos internacionales de derechos humanos, los siguientes derechos colectivos:
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10. Crear, desarrollar, aplicar y practicar su derecho propio o consuetudinario, que no podrá vulnerar derechos constitucionales, en particular de las mujeres, niñas, niños y adolescentes.
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El Estado garantizará la aplicación de estos derechos colectivos sin discriminación alguna, en condiciones de igualdad y equidad entre mujeres y hombres. (Art. 57)
Customary Law
- EnglishWe, the people of Eswatini, …Whereas it has become necessary to review the various constitutional documents, decrees, laws, customs and practices so as to promote good governance, the rule of law, respect for our institutions and the progressive development of the Eswatini society;Whereas it is necessary to blend the good institutions of traditional Law and custom with those of an open and democratic society so as to promote transparency and the social, economic and cultural development of our Nation;… (Preamble)
Customary Law
- English(1) National legislation may provide for a role for traditional leadership as an institution at local level on matters affecting local communities.
(2) To deal with matters relating to traditional leadership, the role of traditional leaders, customary law and the customs of communities observing a system of customary law
(a) national or provincial legislation may provide for the establishment of houses of traditional leaders; and
(b) national legislation may establish a council of traditional leaders. (Sec. 212)
Customary Law
- English
The communities of the Caribbean Coast have the inalienable right to live and to develop themselves under the political-administrative, social and cultural form of organization that correspond to their historic and cultural traditions.
The members of the Autonomous Regional Councils will be elected by the People through universal, equal, direct, free and secret suffrage for a term [periodo] of five years, in accordance with the law.
The State guarantees to these communities the benefits of their natural resources, the effectiveness of their forms of community ownership and the free election of their authorities and representatives.
In the same way, it guarantees the preservation of their cultures and languages, religions and customs. (Art. 180) - Spanish
Las comunidades de la Costa Caribe tienen el derecho inalienable de vivir y desarrollarse bajo la forma de organización político-administrativa, social y cultural que corresponde a sus tradiciones históricas y culturales.
Los miembros de los Consejos Regionales Autónomos serán elegidos por el pueblo mediante el sufragio universal, igual, directo, libre y secreto por un período de cinco años, de conformidad con la ley.
El Estado garantiza a estas comunidades el disfrute de sus recursos naturales, la efectividad de sus formas de propiedad comunal y la libre elección de sus autoridades y representantes.
Asimismo, garantiza la preservación de sus culturas y lenguas, religiones y costumbres. (Art. 180)
Customary Law
- English1. Government shall have the duty to support, on the basis of equality, the growth and enrichment of cultures and traditions that are compatible with fundamental rights, human dignity, democratic norms and ideals, and the provisions Constitution.
… (Art. 91) - Amharic1. መንግሥት መሰረታዊ መብቶችንና ሰብዓዊ ክብርን፣ ዴሞክራሲንና ሕገ መንግሥቱን የማይቃረኑ ባሕሎችና ልማዶች በእኩልነት እንዲጐለብቱና እንዲያድጉ የመርዳት ኃላፊነት አለበት፡፡
… (አንቀጽ 91)
Customary Law
- English1. The judicial power of Uganda shall be exercised by the courts of judicature which shall consist of-
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d. such subordinate courts as Parliament may by law establish, including qadhis courts for marriage, divorce, inheritance of property and guardianship, as may be prescribed by Parliament.
… (Art. 129)
Customary Law
- English…
(4) Any law, including customary law, that is inconsistent with this Constitution is void to the extent of the inconsistency, and any act or omission in contravention of this Constitution is invalid.
… (Art. 2) - Swahili…
(4) Sheria yoyote, pamoja na sheria ya kijadi, ambayo inapingana na Katiba hii ni batili kwa kiwango cha kupingana, na kitendo chochote au uondoaji unaovunja Katiba hii ni batili.
… (Kifungu cha 2)
Customary Law
- English1. There is established a House of Chiefs.
2. The House of Chiefs shall consist of five chiefs from each province, elected by the chiefs in a Province, as prescribed.
3. The members of the House of Chiefs shall annually elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the House of Chiefs, from amongst themselves.
4. Notwithstanding clause (3), the assumption of office as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the House of Chiefs shall rotate annually amongst the chiefs from each province.
5. The functions of the House of Chiefs are to —
a. consider and discuss a Bill relating to custom or tradition referred to it by the President, before the Bill is introduced into the National Assembly;
b. initiate, discuss and make recommendations to the National Assembly regarding socio-economic development in the Province;
c. initiate, discuss and decide on matters relating to customary law and practice;
d. initiate, discuss and make recommendations to a local authority regarding the welfare of communities in a local authority;
e. make proposals on areas in customary law that require codification;
f. advise the Government on traditional and customary matters; and
g. perform other functions as prescribed. (Art. 169)