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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.
Judicial Protection
- English…
(3) Subject to clause (5), the High Court shall have—
…
(b) jurisdiction to determine the question whether a right or fundamental freedom in the Bill of Rights has been denied, violated, infringed or threatened;
… (Art. 165) - Swahili…
(3) Kwa kuzingatia ibara ya (5), Mahakama Kuu itakuwa na—
…
(b) mamlaka ya kuamua shauri iwapo haki au uhuru wa msingi katika Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu haikutolewa, imekiukwa, imevunjwa au imetishiwa;
… (Kifungu cha 165)
Judicial Protection
- EnglishEvery citizen shall have the right of recourse to the courts against acts that violate their rights and interests recognised by the Constitution and the laws. (Art. 70)
- PortugueseO cidadão tem o direito de recorrer aos tribunais contra os actos que violem os seus direitos e interesses reconhecidos pela Constituição e pela lei. (Art. 70)
Judicial Protection
- English
(1) A person who claims that a provision of this Charter7 has been or is likely to be contravened in relation to the person by any law, act or omission may, subject to this article, apply to the Constitutional Court for redress.
(2) An application under clause (1) may, where the Constitutional Court is satisfied that the person whose right or freedom has been or is likely to be contravened is unable to do so, be made by another person acting on behalf of that person, with or without that person’s authority.
(3) The Constitutional Court may decline to entertain an application under clause (1) where the Court is satisfied that the applicant has obtained redress for the contravention under any law and where the applicant has obtained redress in the Constitutional Court for any matter for which an application may be made under clause (1), a court shall not entertain any application for redress for such matter except on appeal from a decision of such court.
(4) Where the Constitutional Court on an application under clause (1) is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the contravention alleged are or have been available to the person concerned in any other court under any other law, the Court may hear the application or transfer the application to the appropriate court for grant of redress in accordance with law.
(5) Upon hearing of an application under clause (1) the Constitutional Court may−
(a) declare any act or omission which is the subject of the application to be a contravention of the Charter;
(b) declare any law or the provision of any law which contravenes the Charter void;
(c) make such declaration or order, issue such writ and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of the Charter and disposing of all the issues relating to the application;
(d) award any damages for the purpose of compensating the person concerned for any damages suffered;
(e) make such additional order under this Constitution or as may be prescribed by law.
…
(7) Where in the course of any proceedings in any court, other than the Constitutional Court or the Court of Appeal, a question arises with regard to whether there has been or is likely to be a contravention of the Charter, the court shall, if it is satisfied that the question is not frivolous or vexatious or has already been the subject of a decision of the Constitutional Court or the Court of Appeal, immediately adjourn the proceedings and refer the question for determination by the Constitutional Court.
(8) Where in an application under clause (1) or where a matter is referred to the Constitutional Court under clause (7), the person alleging the contravention or risk of contravention establishes a prima facie case, the burden of proving that there has not been a contravention or risk of contravention shall, where the allegation is against the State, be on the State.
… (Art. 46)
Judicial Protection
- English...
(3) Any person claiming that any provision in this Part of this Chapter3 or in any law concerning his right or duty owed to him has been, is being or is likely to be violated by any person anywhere in the United Republic, may institute proceedings for redress in the High Court.
(4) Subject to the other provisions of this Constitution, the High Court shall have original jurisdiction to hear and determine any matter brought before it pursuant to this Article; and the state authority may enact legislation for the purposes of -
(a) regulating procedure for instituting proceedings pursuant to this Article;
(b) specifying the powers of the High Court in relation to the hearing of proceedings instituted pursuant to this Article; and
(c) ensuring the effective exercise of the powers of the High Court, the preservation and enforcement of the rights, freedoms and duties in accordance with this Constitution.
(5) Where in any proceedings it is alleged that any law enacted or any action taken by the Government or any other authority abrogates or abridges any of the basic rights, freedoms and duties set out in Articles 12 to 29 of this Constitution, and the High Court is satisfied that the law or action concerned, to the extent that it conflicts with this Constitution, is void, or is inconsistent with this Constitution, then the High Court, if it deems fit, or if the circumstances or public interest so requires, instead of declaring that such law or action is void, shall have power to decide to afford the Government or other authority concerned an opportunity to rectify the defect found in the law or action concerned within such a period and in such manner as the High Court shall determine, and such law or action shall be deemed to be valid until such time the defect is rectified or the period determined by the High Court lapses, whichever is the earlier. (Art. 30)
Judicial Protection
- English
The Constitutional Court is the highest jurisdiction of the State in constitutional matters. It is the judge of the constitutionality of the law and it guarantees the fundamental rights of the human person and the public freedoms. It is the regulatory organ of the functioning of the institutions and of the activity of the public powers. (Art. 114)
- French
La Cour constitutionnelle est la plus haute juridiction de l'Etat en matière constitutionnelle. Elle est juge de la constitutionnalité de la loi et elle garantit les droits fondamentaux de la personne humaine et les libertés publiques. Elle est l'organe régulateur du fonctionnement des institutions et de l'activité des pouvoirs publics. (Art. 114)
Judicial Protection
- English
The judicial power sees to respect for the rights and freedoms defined by this Constitution.
… (Art. 72)4 - Arabic
تحرص السلطة القضائية على احترام الحقوق والحريات المعرّفة في هذا الدستور.
... (المادة 72) - French
… Le pouvoir judiciaire veille au respect des droits et libertés définis par la présente constitution.
... (Art. 71)
Judicial Protection
- English(1) If any person alleges that any of the provisions of sections 18 to 33 or section 36(5) of this Chapter has been, is being, or is likely to be contravened in relation to himself or herself by any person he or she may apply to the High Court for redress.
(2) An application may be made under this section in the case of a person who is detained by some other person acting on the detained person's behalf.
(3) An application under this section shall be without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available.
(4) If in any proceedings in any court subordinate to the High Court any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of the said sections 18 to 33 or section 36(5), that court may, and shall if any party so requests, refer the question to the High Court, unless, in the opinion of the subordinate court, the raising of the question is merely frivolous or vexatious.
(5) The High Court shall—
(a) hear and determine any application made by any person pursuant to subsection (1) or (2);
(b) determine any question arising in the case of any person which is referred to it in pursuance of subsection (4)
and may, in addition to the powers conferred on it by section 5 (which relates to defence of the Constitution) make such order, issue such writ, and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purposes of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the provisions of the said sections 18 to 33 or section 36(5) to the protection of which the person concerned is entitled:
Provided that the High Court may decline to exercise its powers under this subsection if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the contravention alleged are or have been available to the person concerned under any other law.
…
(7) An Act of the National Assembly may confer on the High Court such powers in addition to those conferred by this section as may appear to be necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the Court more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this section.
… (Sec. 37)
Judicial Protection
- English1. Appropriate principles of interpretation of this Constitution shall be developed and employed by the courts to reflect the unique character and supreme status of this Constitution.
2. In interpreting the provisions of this Constitution a court of law shall—
a. promote the values which underlie an open and democratic society;
b. take full account of the provisions of Chapter III and Chapter IV5; and
c. where applicable, have regard to current norms of public international law and comparable foreign case law.
3. Where a court of law declares an act of executive or a law to be invalid, that court may apply such interpretation of that act or law as is consistent with this Constitution.
4. Any law that ousts or purports to oust the jurisdiction of the courts to entertain matters pertaining to this Constitution shall be invalid. (Sec. 11)
Judicial Protection
- English…
(2) The Supreme Court shall be presided over by the Chief Justice and shall hear and adjudicate upon appeals emanating from the High Court, including appeals which involve the interpretation, implementation and upholding of this Constitution and the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed thereunder. The Supreme Court shall also deal with matters referred to it for decision by the Attorney-General under this Constitution, and with such other matters as may be authorised by Act of Parliament.
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(4) The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court with regard to appeals shall be determined by Act of Parliament. (Art. 79)
Judicial Protection
- 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)