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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.
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe safeguarding of the integrity and supremacy of the Constitution is entrusted to the Constitutional Court in the strict and precise terms of this article. For such a purpose, it shall fulfill the following functions:
1. Decide on the petitions of unconstitutionality brought by citizens against measures amending the Constitution, no matter what their origin, exclusively for errors of procedure in their formation.
2. Decide, prior to a popular expression of opinion, on the constitutionality of the call for a referendum or a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution, exclusively for errors of procedure in their formation.
3. Decide on the constitutionality of referendums about laws and popular consultations and plebiscites of a national scope, in case of these last ones exclusively for errors of procedure in their convocation and implementation.
4. Decide on the petitions of unconstitutionality brought by citizens against statutes, both for their substantive content as well as for errors of procedure in their formation.
5. Decide on the petitions of unconstitutionality brought by citizens against decrees with the force of law issued by the government on the basis of Article 150, numeral 10, and Article 341 of the Constitution for their substantive content as well as for errors of procedure in their formation.
6. Decide on the exceptions provided for in Article 137 of the Constitution.
7. Decide definitively on the constitutionality of the legislative decrees issued by the government on the basis of Articles 212, 213, and 215 of the Constitution.
8. Decide definitively on the constitutionality of the bills opposed by the government as unconstitutional and of proposed statutory bills, both on account of their substantive content as well as for errors of procedure in their formation.
9. Revise, in the form determined by statute, the judicial decisions connected with the protection of constitutional rights.
10. To decide definitively on the constitutionality [exquibilidad/executability] of the international treaties and on the laws that approve them. To this end, the Government will submit them to the Court, within the six days subsequent to the sanction of the law. Any citizen can intervene to defend or challenge their constitutionality [constitucionalidad]. If the Court declares them constitutional, the Government may effect the exchange of notes; in the contrary case they will not be ratified. When one or several norms of a multilateral treaty are declared unconstitutional [inexquibilidad/unexecutable] by the Constitutional Court, the President of the Republic may only declare consent formulated [with] the corresponding reservation.
11. To settle [Dirimir] the conflicts of competence that occur between the distinct jurisdictions.
… (Art. 241) - SpanishA la Corte Constitucional se le confía la guarda de la integridad y supremacía de la Constitución, en los estrictos y precisos términos de este artículo. Con tal fin, cumplirá las siguientes funciones:
1. Decidir sobre las demandas de inconstitucionalidad que promuevan los ciudadanos contra los actos reformatorios de la Constitución, cualquiera que sea su origen, sólo por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
2. Decidir, con anterioridad al pronunciamiento popular, sobre la constitucionalidad de la convocatoria a un referendo o a una Asamblea Constituyente para reformar la Constitución, sólo por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
3. Decidir sobre la constitucionalidad de los referendos sobre leyes y de las consultas populares y plebiscitos del orden nacional. Estos últimos sólo por vicios de procedimiento en su convocatoria y realización.
4. Decidir sobre las demandas de inconstitucionalidad que presenten los ciudadanos contra las leyes, tanto por su contenido material como por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
5. Decidir sobre las demandas de inconstitucionalidad que presenten los ciudadanos contra los decretos con fuerza de ley dictados por el Gobierno con fundamento en los artículos 150 numeral 10 y 341 de la Constitución, por su contenido material o por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
6. Decidir sobre las excusas de que trata el artículo 137 de la Constitución.
7. Decidir definitivamente sobre la constitucionalidad de los decretos legislativos que dicte el Gobierno con fundamento en los artículos 212, 213 y 215 de la Constitución.
8. Decidir definitivamente sobre la constitucionalidad de los proyectos de ley que hayan sido objetados por el Gobierno como inconstitucionales, y de los proyectos de leyes estatutarias, tanto por su contenido material como por vicios de procedimiento en su formación.
9. Revisar, en la forma que determine la ley, las decisiones judiciales relacionadas con la acción de tutela de los derechos constitucionales.
10. Decidir definitivamente sobre la exequibilidad de los tratados internacionales y de las leyes que los aprueben. Con tal fin, el Gobierno los remitirá a la Corte, dentro de los seis días siguientes a la sanción de la ley. Cualquier ciudadano podrá intervenir para defender o impugnar su constitucionalidad. Si la Corte los declara constitucionales, el Gobierno podrá efectuar el canje de notas; en caso contrario no serán ratificados. Cuando una o varias normas de un tratado multilateral sean declaradas inexequibles por la Corte Constitucional, el Presidente de la República sólo podrá manifestar el consentimiento formulando la correspondiente reserva.
11. Dirimir los conflictos de competencia que ocurran entre las distintas jurisdicciones.
… (Art. 241)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The Constitutional Court, at the demand of the President of the Republic or of any member of the National Assembly, decides on the constitutionality of the laws before their promulgation.
It decides[,] of office[,] on the constitutionality of the laws and any regulatory texts which would infringe the fundamental rights of the human person and the public freedoms. It decides more generally on the violations of the rights of the human person and its decision must intervene within a time period of eight days. (Art. 121) - French
La Cour constitutionnelle, à la demande du président de la République ou de tout membre de l'Assemblée nationale, se prononce sur la constitutionnalité des lois avant leur promulgation.
Elle se prononce d'office sur la constitutionnalité des lois et de tout texte réglementaire censés porter atteinte aux droits fondamentaux de la personne humaine et aux libertés publiques. Elle statue plus généralement sur les violations des droits de la personne humaine et sa décision doit intervenir dans un délai de huit jours. (Art. 121)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. The legitimate organs to interpose recourses of unconstitutionality are:
a) The President of the Republic-Head of State.
b) The Vice President of the Republic and the Prime Minister.
c) The Chamber of the Deputies and the Senate with a qualified majority of the three-fourths part of their members.
d) The Attorney General of the Republic.
2. Any natural person or [person] having cause, that invokes a legitimate interest[,] can interpose [the] recourse of amparo. (Art. 102) - Spanish1. Los órganos legítimos para interponer recursos de inconstitucionalidad son:
a) El Presidente de la República-Jefe de Estado.
b) El Vice-Presidente de la República y el Primer Ministro.
c) La Cámara de los Diputados y el Senado en una mayoría cualificada de las tres cuartas partes de sus miembros.
d) El Fiscal General de la República.
2. Puede interponer recurso de amparo, toda persona natural o causa-habiente que invoque un interés legítimo. (Art. 102) - French1. Les organes ayant légitimement le droit d'introduire des demandes d'inconstitutionnalité sont :
a) Le Président de la République-Chef de l'État.
b) Le Vice-président de la République et le Premier ministre.
c) La Chambre des députés et le Sénat, avec une majorité qualifiée des trois-quarts de leurs membres.
d) Le Procureur général de la République.
2. Toute personne physique ou personne fondée à invoquer un intérêt légitime a le droit d'introduire une demande de protection. (Art. 102)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
The Constitutional Law Committee shall issue statements on the constitutionality of legislative proposals and other matters brought for its consideration, as well as on their relation to international human rights treaties. (Sec. 74)
- Finnish
Eduskunnan perustuslakivaliokunnan tehtävänä on antaa lausuntonsa sen käsittelyyn tulevien lakiehdotusten ja muiden asioiden perustuslainmukaisuudesta sekä suhteesta kansainvälisiin ihmisoikeussopimuksiin. (74 §)
- Swedish
Riksdagens grundlagsutskott skall ge utlåtanden om grundlagsenligheten i fråga om lagförslag och andra ärenden som föreläggs utskottet samt om deras förhållande till internationella fördrag om mänskliga rättigheter. (74 §)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court is the supreme body for controlling, constitutionally interpreting and administering justice in this matter. It exercises national jurisdiction and its seat is in the city of Quito.
The decisions related to the attributions provided for in the Constitution shall be adopted by the plenary of the Court. (Art. 429) - SpanishLa Corte Constitucional es el máximo órgano de control, interpretación constitucional y de administración de justicia en esta materia. Ejerce jurisdicción nacional y su sede es la ciudad de Quito.
Las decisiones relacionadas con las atribuciones previstas en la Constitución serán adoptadas por el pleno de la Corte. (Art. 429)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. The Constitutional Court shall be the court that has the power, specifically, to administer Justice in matters of a legal and constitutional nature, particularly with respect to:
a) Review of the constitutionality and legality, under the terms of the Constitution;
b) Verification of death and declaration of disability, of impediment or of loss of office of the President of the Republic;
c) Jurisdiction on matters of elections and political party organizations, under the terms of the law;
d) Resolution of conflicts of jurisdiction, under the terms of the law;
e) Writs of amparo.
… (Art. 215) - Portuguese1. O Tribunal Constitucional é o tribunal ao qual compete, especificamente, administrar a Justiça em matérias de natureza jurídicoconstitucional, designadamente, no que se refere a:
a) Fiscalização da constitucionalidade e legalidade, nos termos da Constituição;
b) Verificação da morte e declaração de incapacidade, de impedimento ou de perda de cargo do Presidente da República;
c) Jurisdição em matéria de eleições e de organizações político-partidárias, nos termos da lei;
d) Resolução de conflitos de jurisdição, nos termos da lei;
e) Recurso de amparo.
… (Art. 215)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English1. While the Constitutional Court is not legally installed, the administration of justice in matters of a legal and constitutional nature continues to be carried out by the Supreme Court of Justice that shall have the power:
a) To review for constitutionality and legality pursuant to Articles 277 and others thereafter, except as foreseen in paragraph 1, subparagraph b) of Article 278;
b) To verify the death and declare the permanent physical or mental incapacity of the President of the Republic, as well as declare temporary impediments to the exercise of his or her duties;
c) To verify the loss of office of the President in cases of conviction of crimes committed in the exercise of functions and in other cases foreseen in the Constitution;
d) To verify the death and declare the incapacity for the exercise of the presidential function by any candidate for President of the Republic;
e) To verify preventively the constitutionality and legality of national and local referendum proposals;
f) To perform all other functions as may be assigned by the Constitution and by the law.
2. Both the Supreme Court of Justice and the Constitutional Court, specifically, in matters concerning electoral procedures, shall have the power:
a) To receive and admit nominations for President of the Republic;
b) To judge in the final instance the regularity and validity of electoral procedures, under the terms of the law;
c) To judge, at the request of their members and under the terms of the law, appeals related to the loss of office and to the elections held in the National Assembly, in the assemblies of local administrations and, in general, in any elective collegial organs foreseen in the Constitution;
d) To perform all other functions assigned by law.
3. Both the Supreme Court of Justice and the Constitutional Court, specifically in matters concerning political party organizations, shall have the power:
a) To verify the legality of the constitution of political parties and their coalitions, as well as to assess the legality of their names, abbreviations and symbols;
b) To ensure, maintain and update the registration of political parties and their coalitions, under the terms of the law;
c) To declare the illegality of political parties and their coalitions, and order their dissolution, under the terms of the Constitution and the law;
d) To judge the challenges encountered in elections and decisions of organs of political parties that, under the terms of the law, are subject to appeal;
e) To perform all other functions assigned by law. (Art. 294) - Portuguese1. Enquanto o Tribunal Constitucional não for legalmente instalado, a administração da justiça em matérias de natureza jurídico-constitucional continua a ser feita pelo Supremo Tribunal de Justiça, ao qual compete:
a) Fiscalizar a constitucionalidade e a legalidade nos termos dos artigos 277º e seguintes, excepto nos casos previstos no número 1, alínea b) do artigo 278º;
b) Verificar a morte e declarar a incapacidade física ou psíquica permanente do Presidente da República, bem como declarar os impedimentos temporários para o exercício das suas funções;
c) Verificar a perda do cargo do Presidente da República nos casos de condenação por crimes cometidos no exercício de funções e noutros previstos na Constituição;
d) Verificar a morte e declarar a incapacidade para o exercício da função presidencial de qualquer candidato a Presidente da República;
e) Verificar preventivamente a constitucionalidade e legalidade das propostas de referendo nacional e local;
f) Exercer as demais funções que lhe sejam atribuídas pela Constituição e pela lei.
2. Compete, ainda, ao Supremo Tribunal de Justiça enquanto Tribunal Constitucional, especificamente, em matéria de processo eleitoral:
a) Receber e admitir candidaturas para Presidente da República;
b) Julgar em última instância a regularidade e a validade dos actos de processo eleitoral, nos termos da lei;
c) Julgar, a requerimento dos respectivos membros e nos termos da lei, os recursos relativos a perda de mandato e às eleições realizadas na Assembleia Nacional, nas assembleias das autarquias locais e, no geral, em quaisquer órgãos colegiais electivos previstos na Constituição;
d) Exercer as demais funções atribuídas por lei.
3. Compete também ao Supremo Tribunal de Justiça, enquanto Tribunal Constitucional, especificamente, em matéria de organizações político-partidárias:
a) Verificar a legalidade da constituição de partidos politicos e suas coligações, bem como apreciar a legalidade das suas denominações, siglas e símbolos;
b) Assegurar, conservar e actualizar o registo dos partidos politicos e suas coligações, nos termos da lei;
c) Declarar a ilegalidade de partidos políticos e suas coligações, ordenando a respectiva extinção, nos termos da Constituição e da lei;
d) Julgar as acções de impugnação de eleições e deliberações de órgãos de partidos políticos que, nos termos da lei, sejam recorríveis;
e) Exercer as demais funções atribuídas por lei. (Art. 294)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishThe international engagements specified in Article 150 are deferred before ratification to the Constitutional Court, either by the President of the Republic, or by the President of the National Assembly or by one Deputy.
… (Art. 97) - FrenchLes engagements internationaux prévus à l'article 150 sont déférés avant ratification à la Cour constitutionnelle, soit par le président de la République, soit par le président de l'Assemblée nationale ou par un député.
… (Art. 97)
Jurisdiction and Access
- English
(1) The Constitutional Court:
a) exercises, upon appeal, the review of constitutionality over laws and decisions of the Parliament, decrees of the President, decisions and ordinances of the Government, as well as over international treaties to which the Republic of Moldova is a party;
b) gives the interpretation of the Constitution;
c) formulates its position on initiatives aimed at revising the Constitution;
d) confirms the results of republican referenda;
e) confirms the results of parliamentary and presidential elections in the Republic of Moldova;
f) ascertains the circumstances justifying the dissolution of the Parliament, the removal of the President of the Republic of Moldova or the interim office of the President, as well as the impossibility of the President of the Republic of Moldova to fully exercise his/her functional duties for more than 60 days;
g) solves the pleas of unconstitutionality of legal acts, as claimed by the Supreme Court of Justice;
h) decides over matters dealing with the constitutionality of a party.
(2) The Constitutional Court carries out its activity on the initiative brought forward by the subjects provided for by the Law on the Constitutional Court. (Art. 135) - Moldovian
(1) Curtea Constituţională:
a) exercită, la sesizare, controlul constituţionalităţii legilor şi hotărîrilor Parlamentului, a decretelor Preşedintelui Republicii Moldova, a hotărîrilor şi ordonanţelor Guvernului, precum şi a tratatelor internaţionale la care Republica Moldova este parte;
b) interpretează Constituţia;
c) se pronunţă asupra iniţiativelor de revizuirea Constituţiei;
d) confirmă rezultatele referendumurilor republicane;
e) confirmă rezultatele alegerii Parlamentului şi a Preşedintelui Republicii Moldova;
f) constată circumstanţele care justifică dizolvarea Parlamentului, demiterea Preşedintelui Republicii Moldova sau interimatul funcţiei de Preşedinte, precum şi imposibilitatea Preşedintelui Republicii Moldova de a-şi exercita atribuţiile mai mult de 60 de zile;
g) rezolvă cazurile excepţionale de neconstituţionalitate a actelor juridice, sesizate de Curtea Supremă de Justiţie;
h) hotărăşte asupra chestiunilor care au ca obiect constituţionalitatea unui partid.
(2) Curtea Constituţională îşi desfăşoară activitatea din iniţiativa subiecţilor prevăzuţi de Legea cu privire la Curtea Constituţională. (Art. 135)
Jurisdiction and Access
- EnglishWhen on the occasion of a pending legal proceeding before a jurisdiction, an exception of unconstitutionality is raised, the Constitutional Council may be referred to the matter on remand from the Court of Cassation.
If the provision is declared unconstitutional, the Constitutional Council returns it to the Parliament which decides sovereignly on the case. The new provision is promulgated. (Art. 190ter-8) - FrenchLorsqu'à l'occasion d'une instance en cours devant une juridiction, il est soulevé une exception d'inconstitutionnalité, le Conseil Constitutionnel peut en être saisi sur renvoi de la Cour de Cassation.
Si la disposition est déclarée inconstitutionnelle, le Conseil Constitutionnel la renvoie au Parlement qui statue souverainement sur le cas. La nouvelle disposition est promulguée. (Art. 190ter.8)