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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...
(2) When interpreting any legislation, and when developing the common law or customary law, every court, tribunal or forum must promote the spirit, purport and objects of the Bill of Rights.
(3) The Bill of Rights does not deny the existence of any other rights or freedoms that are recognised or conferred by common law, customary law or legislation, to the extent that they are consistent with the Bill. (Sec. 39)
Customary Law
- English1. Parliament may provide for the manner of the ascertainment of relevant rules of custom except for the rules of custom relating to ownership of custom land, and may in particular provide for persons knowledgeable in such custom to sit with the judges of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal and take part in its proceedings.
... (Art. 51) - French1) Le Parlement peut prévoir la façon de vérifier des règles coutumières pertinentes sauf pour les règles coutumières relatives à la propriété des terres coutumières et peut en particulier permettre à des personnes connaissant bien une coutume donnée de siéger avec les juges de la Cour suprême ou de la Cour d’appel et participer à ses procédures.
... (Art. 51)
Customary Law
- English1. Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the State shall take affirmative action in favour of groups marginalised on the basis of gender, age, disability or any other reason created by history, tradition or custom, for the purpose of redressing imbalances which exist against them.
2. Laws, cultures, customs and traditions which are against the dignity, welfare or interest of women or any other marginalised group to which clause (1) relates or which undermine their status, are prohibited by this Constitution.
… (Art. 32)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe government of the rural native indigenous autonomies is exercised through their own norms and forms of organization, with the name that corresponds to each town, nation or community, as established in their statutes and subject to the Constitution and the law. (Art. 296)
- SpanishEl gobierno de las autonomías indígena originario campesinas se ejercerá a través de sus propias normas y formas de organización, con la denominación que corresponda a cada pueblo, nación o comunidad, establecidas en sus estatutos y en sujeción a la Constitución y a la Ley. (Art. 296)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe traditional authorities shall be the entities which personify and exercise power within the respective political and community organisations, in accordance with the values and norms of customary law and respecting the Constitution and the law. (Art. 224)
- PortugueseAs autoridades tradicionais são entidades que personificam e exercem o poder no seio da respectiva organização político-comunitária tradicional, de acordo com os valores e normas consuetudinários e no respeito pela Constituição e pela lei. (Art. 224)
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)
Customary Law
- English
The authorities of the Rural and Native Communities, with the support of the Rural Patrols, may exercise jurisdictional functions within their domain [ámbito] in accordance with customary law, provided they do not violate the fundamental rights of the person. The law establishes the forms of coordination of said special jurisdiction with Justices of the Peace and with other instances of the Judicial Power. (Art. 149)
- Spanish
Las autoridades de las Comunidades Campesinas y Nativas, con el apoyo de las Rondas Campesinas, pueden ejercer las funciones jurisdiccionales dentro de su ámbito territorial de conformidad con el derecho consuetudinario, siempre que no violen los derechos fundamentales de la persona. La ley establece las formas de coordinación de dicha jurisdicción especial con los Juzgados de Paz y con las demás instancias del Poder Judicial. (Art. 149)
Customary Law
- EnglishUntil their codification, the customary and traditional rules are only applicable in the communities where they are recognized.
However, the customs contrary to the public order or those that promote inequality between citizens are prohibited. (Art. 161) - Arabicلا تنطبق القواعد العرفية والتقليدية في المجتمعات المحلية حيث يُعترف بها إلا عند تدوينها.
لكن تحظر الأعراف المتنافية مع النظام العام أو التي تعزز عدم المساواة بين المواطنين. (المادة 161) - FrenchJusqu'à leur codification, les règles coutumières et traditionnelles ne s'appliquent que dans les communautés où elles sont reconnues.
Toutefois, les coutumes contraires à l'ordre public ou celles qui prônent l'inégalité entre les citoyens sont interdites. (Art. 161)
Customary Law
- English(1) There is a National Council of Chiefs constituted in accordance with an Act of Parliament, to represent all Chiefs in Zimbabwe.
(2) An Act of Parliament must establish for each province, other than the metropolitan provinces, a provincial assembly of Chiefs consisting of the Chiefs in that province.
(3) So far as practicable the Chiefs in each province must be equitably represented in the National Council of Chiefs.
(4) Elections of the President, Deputy President and members of the National Council of Chiefs must be conducted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
(5) Each provincial assembly of Chiefs must elect, in accordance with the Electoral Law, Chiefs to represent the province in the Senate in terms of section 120(1)(b).
(6) The President and Deputy President of the National Council of Chiefs are elected for a term of five years and are eligible for re-election for one further such term, but a person who has served two terms as Deputy President is eligible for election as President.
(7) An Act of Parliament must provide for—
(a) the election of Chiefs to the National Council of Chiefs, and the qualifications and disqualifications of candidates for election;
(b) the oath of office to be taken by members of the National Council of Chiefs and provincial assemblies of Chiefs;
(c) the tenure of office of members of the National Council of Chiefs;
(d) the remuneration, pension and other benefits of the President, Deputy President and members of the National Council of Chiefs;
(e) the procedure to be followed at meetings of the National Council of Chiefs and provincial assemblies of Chiefs; and
(f) the establishment of a secretariat for the National Council of Chiefs and provincial assemblies of Chiefs. (Sec. 285)
Customary Law
- English…
(10) The State shall take steps to encourage the integration of appropriate customary values into the fabric of national life through formal and informal education and shall ensure that appropriate customary and cultural values are adapted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of the society as a whole.
… (Sec. 60)