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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
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3. While believing that Tuvalu must take its rightful place amongst the community of nations in search of peace and the general welfare, nevertheless the people of Tuvalu recognize and affirm, with gratitude to God, that the stability of Tuvaluan society and the happiness and welfare of the people of Tuvalu, both present and future, depend very largely on the maintenance of Tuvaluan values, culture and tradition, including the vitality and the sense of identity of island communities and attitudes of co-operation, self-help and unity within and amongst those communities.
4. Amongst the values that we the people of Tuvalu seek to maintain are those embodied in our traditional forms of community, the Falekaupule, and the strength and support of the family and family discipline.
5. In government, and in social affairs generally, the guiding principles of Tuvalu are
- agreement, courtesy and the search for consensus, in accordance with traditional Tuvaluan procedures, rather than alien ideas of confrontation and divisiveness;
- the need for mutual respect and co-operation between the different kinds of authorities concerned, including the central Government, the traditional authorities, local governments and authorities, and the religious authorities.
6. Therefore, the life and the laws of Tuvalu should be based on respect for Christian principles, Tuvaluan values and culture, the Rule of Law and human dignity.
7. The people of Tuvalu recognize that in a changing world, and with changing needs, the manner and form of the expression of these principles and values may change, but the Constitution must recognise their fundamental importance to the life of Tuvalu and, where necessary, reinforce them.
… (Principles of the Constitution)7
Customary Law
- English1. Legislation of the states shall provide for the role of Traditional Authority as an institution at local government level on matters affecting local communities.
2. Legislation at the National and state levels shall provide for the establishment, composition, functions and duties of councils for Traditional Authority leaders. (Art. 168)
Customary Law
- English1. Notwithstanding Articles 73 and 74 the Government may buy land from custom owners for the purpose of transferring ownership of it to indigenous citizens or indigenous communities from over-populated islands.
2. When redistributing land in accordance with subarticle (1), the Government shall give priority to ethnic, linguistic, customary and geographical ties. (Art. 81) - French1) Nonobstant les dispositions des articles 73 et 74, le gouvernement peut acheter des terres aux propriétaires coutumiers dans le but d'en transférer la propriété aux citoyens indigènes ou à des collectivités indigènes originaires d'îles surpeuplées.
2) Pour la redistribution des terres effectuée en application du paragraphe 1), le gouvernement tient compte en priorité des facteurs ethniques, linguistiques, coutumiers et géographiques. (Art. 81)
Customary Law
- EnglishWhere a traditional leader or cultural leader exists in a region the traditional or cultural leader shall-
a. be the titular head of the regional government;
b. be the titular head of the regional assembly and shall open, address and close the sessions of the regional assembly; and
c. enjoy the benefits, privileges and roles as provided for in article 246 of this Constitution and by Parliament and the regional assembly. (Fifth Schedule: Regional governments, Art. 8)
Customary Law
- English…
(2) The Republic of Cameroon shall be a decentralized unitary State. It shall be one and indivisible, secular, democratic and dedicated to social service. It shall recognize and protect traditional values that conform to democratic principles, human rights and the law.
… (Art. 1) - French…
(2) La République du Cameroun est un Etat unitaire décentralisé. Elle est une et indivisible, laïque, démocratique et sociale. Elle reconnaît et protège les valeurs traditionnelles conformes aux principes démocratiques, aux droits de l’homme et à la loi. Elle assure l’égalité de tous les citoyens devant la loi.
… (Art. 1)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the High Court have inherent power to protect and regulate their own process and to develop the common law or the customary law, taking into account the interests of justice and the provisions of this Constitution. (Sec. 176)
Customary Law
- EnglishWithout prejudice to the other provisions of this Constitution, the following matters are of the exclusive competence of the Provinces:
…
28. the execution of customary law;
… (Art. 204) - FrenchSans préjudice des autres dispositions de la présente Constitution, les matières suivantes sont de la compétence exclusive des provinces :
…
28. l’exécution du droit coutumier;
… (Art. 204)
Customary Law
- English(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution,
(a) no Act of Parliament in respect of
(i) religious or social practices of the Nagas,
(ii) Naga customary law and procedure,
(iii) administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law,
(iv) ownership and transfer of land and its resources,
shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides;
… (Art. 371A) - Hindi(1) इस संविधान में किसी बात के होते हुए भी,
(क) निम्नलिखित के संबंध में संसद का कोई अधिनियम
(i) नागाओं की धार्मिक या सामाजिक प्रथाएँ,
(ii) नागा रूढ़िजन्य विधि और प्रक्रिया,
(iii) सिविल और दांडिक न्याय प्रशासन, जहां विनिश्चय नागा रूढ़िजन्य विधि के अनुसार होने हैं,
(iv) भूमि और उसके संपत्ति स्रोतों का स्वामित्व और अंतरण,
नागालैंड राज्य को तब तक लागू नहीं होगा जब तक नागालैंड की विधान सभा संकल्प द्वारा ऐसा विनिश्चय नहीं करती है;
… (अनुच्छेद 371क)
Customary Law
- English…
4. The State shall enforce the right of women to eliminate the influences of harmful customs. Laws, customs and practices that oppress or cause bodily or mental harm to women are prohibited.
… (Art. 35) - Amharic…
4. ሴቶች ከጐጂ ባሕል ተጽዕኖ የመላቀቅ መብታቸውን መንግሥት ማስከበር አለበት፡፡ ሴቶችን የሚጨቁኑ ወይም በአካላቸው ወይም በአዕምሮአቸው ላይ ጉዳት የሚያስከትሉ ሕጐች፣ ወጐችና ልማዶች የተከለከሉ ናቸው፡፡
… (አንቀጽ 35)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe authorities of the indigenous communities, peoples, and nations shall perform jurisdictional duties, on the basis of their ancestral traditions and their own system of law, within their own territories, with a guarantee for the participation of, and decision-making by, women. The authorities shall apply their own standards and procedures for the settlement of internal disputes, as long as they are not contrary to the Constitution and human rights enshrined in international instruments.
The State shall guarantee that the decisions of indigenous jurisdiction are observed by public institutions and authorities. These decisions shall be subject to monitoring of their constitutionality. The law shall establish the mechanisms for coordination and cooperation between indigenous jurisdiction and regular jurisdiction. (Art. 171) - SpanishLas autoridades de las comunidades, pueblos y nacionalidades indígenas ejercerán funciones jurisdiccionales, con base en sus tradiciones ancestrales y su derecho propio, dentro de su ámbito territorial, con garantía de participación y decisión de las mujeres. Las autoridades aplicarán normas y procedimientos propios para la solución de sus conflictos internos, y que no sean contrarios a la Constitución y a los derechos humanos reconocidos en instrumentos internacionales.
El Estado garantizará que las decisiones de la jurisdicción indígena sean respetadas por las instituciones y autoridades públicas. Dichas decisiones estarán sujetas al control de constitucionalidad. La ley establecerá los mecanismos de coordinación y cooperación entre la jurisdicción indígena y la jurisdicción ordinaria. (Art. 171)