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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
- English1. The twenty-two offices of Principal Chief set out in Schedule 2 to this Constitution and the other offices of Chief recognised under the law in force immediately before the commencement of this Constitution shall continue to exist.
2. Parliament may make provision for the regulation of offices of chief.
3. Each Chief shall have such functions as are conferred on him by this Constitution or by or under any other law. (Sec. 103)
Customary Law
- EnglishI. Each public authority or person shall obey the decisions of the rural native indigenous jurisdiction.
II. To secure compliance with the decisions of the rural native indigenous jurisdiction, its authorities may request the support of the competent bodies of the State.
III. The State shall promote and strengthen rural native indigenous justice. The law of Jurisdictional Demarcation shall determine the mechanisms of coordination and cooperation between rural native indigenous jurisdiction and ordinary jurisdiction and agro-environmental jurisdiction and all the recognized constitutional jurisdictions. (Art. 192) - SpanishI. Toda autoridad pública o persona acatará las decisiones de la jurisdicción indígena originaria campesina.
II. Para el cumplimiento de las decisiones de la jurisdicción indígena originario campesina, sus autoridades podrán solicitar el apoyo de los órganos competentes del Estado.
III. El Estado promoverá y fortalecerá la justicia indígena originaria campesina. La Ley de Deslinde Jurisdiccional, determinará los mecanismos de coordinación y cooperación entre la jurisdicción indígena originaria campesina con la jurisdicción ordinaria y la jurisdicción agroambiental y todas las jurisdicciones constitucionalmente reconocidas. (Art. 192)
Customary Law
- EnglishNothing in this Constitution takes away a role or function of a traditional leader as recognized by custom and tradition, or prevents a traditional leader from being recognized, honored, and given formal or functional roles at any level of government as may be prescribed by this Constitution or by statute. (Art. V, Sec. 1)
Customary Law
- English(1) ...
(f) No persons shall be compelled to give testimony against themselves or their spouses, who shall include partners in a marriage by customary law, and no Court shall admit in evidence against such persons testimony which has been obtained from such persons in violation of Article 8(2)(b) hereof.
... (Art. 12)
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
- English
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WHEREAS the Leaders of Samoa have declared that Samoa should be an Independent State based on Christian principles and Samoan custom and tradition;
… (Preamble) - Samoan
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ONA ua faaalia e Taitai o Samoa le tatau ona avea Samoa ma Malo Tutoatasi e faavaeina i luga o talitonuga faa-Kerisiano ma tu ma aganuu a Samoa;
… (Uputomua)
Customary Law
- English(1) The laws of Sierra Leone shall comprise—
a. this Constitution;
b. laws made by or under the authority of Parliament as established by this Constitution;
c. any orders, rules, regulations and other statutory instruments made by any person or authority pursuant to a power conferred in that behalf by this Constitution or any other law;
d. the existing law; and
e. the common law.
(2) The common law of Sierra Leone shall comprise the rules of law generally known as the common law, the rules of law generally known as the doctrines of equity, and the rules of customary law including those determined by the Superior Court of Judicature.
(3) For the purposes of this section the expression “customary law” means the rules of law which by custom are applicable to particular communities in Sierra Leone.
… (Sec. 170)
Customary Law
- English
...
(5) In determining whether a law or act is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society that has a proper respect for human rights and dignity, a court may have regard to —
(a) traditional standards, values and practices, as well as previous laws and judicial decisions, of Tuvalu;
…
(6) Notwithstanding subsection (5), any law, or any act done under a valid law, which accords with traditional standards, values and practices shall not contravene subsection (1) above, unless the relevant traditional standard, value or practice would be regarded by a resolution of Parliament supported by the votes of two-thirds of the total membership as one which should be eliminated. (Sec. 15)
Customary Law
- EnglishAll ethnic and cultural groups shall have the right to enjoy their own culture and develop it freely. The members of such groups shall have the right to exercise their beliefs, use their languages, observe their religions or customs, and raise their children in the framework of such cultures and customs. (Art. 65)
- Arabicلكل المجموعات العرقية والثقافية الحق في أن تنعم بثقافتها الخاصة وتطورها بحرية، وللمنتميين لهذة المجموعات الحق في أن يمارسوا معتقداتهم ويستخدموا لغاتهم ويراعوا أديانهم واعرافهم وينشئوا اطفالهم في إطار تلك الثقافات والاعراف. (الماده 66)
Customary Law
- English
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(2) Under this Constitution every person has the following fundamental duties and responsibilities to themselves, their dependents, and others –
(a) to respect society, communities, islands, leaders, and cultural practices and norms; to know their duties and roles in society despite different religious beliefs and practices,
...
(c) in the case of parents, to care for and not neglect their children, and to teach children to uphold their duties, Tuvaluan ways of life, and Christian principles;
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(f) in the case of religious leaders, to respect Island Community customs and traditions, ...
(g) In the case of leaders, to respect Island Community customs and traditions;
... (Sec. 43)