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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 State shall recognise and esteem traditional authority that is legitimate according to the people and to customary law.
2. The State shall define the relationship between traditional authority and other institutions and the part that traditional authority should play in the economic, social and cultural affairs of the country, in accordance with the law. (Art. 118) - Portuguese1. O Estado reconhece e valoriza a autoridade tradicional legitimada pelas populações e segundo o direito consuetudinário.
2. O Estado define o relacionamento da autoridade tradicional com as demais instituições e enquadra a sua participação na vida económica, social e cultural do país, nos termos da lei. (Art. 118)
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
- English(1) The state shall promote the positive traditions and cultural practices of the Somali people, whilst striving to eliminate from the community customs and emerging practices which negatively impact the unity, civilization and wellbeing of society.
… (Art. 31) - Somali(1) Dawladdu waa in ay horumarisaa hiddaha iyo dhaqanka suubban ee Shacabka Soomaaliyeed, iyadoo ku dedaaleysa in ay bulshada ka suuliso caadooyinka haraaga ah iyo kuwa dhowaan-soo-baxa ah ee wax u dhimaya midnimada, ilbaxnimada iyo caafimaadka bulshada.
... (Qodobak 31aad.)
Customary Law
- English(1) Except for the areas of Ghanzi, Chobe, Kgalagadi and North East, the Members for the areas referred to in section 77(1)(a) shall be designated to the Ntlo ya Dikgosi according to the established norms and practices of those areas.
(2) The Members for the Ghanzi, Chobe, Kgalagadi and North-East areas referred to in section 77(1)(a) shall be selected, from their own number, to the Ntlo ya Dikgosi by persons for the time being performing the functions of the office of Kgosi within each of those areas.
… (Sec. 78)
Customary Law
- English(1) The institution of chieftaincy, together with its traditional councils as established by customary law and usage, is hereby guaranteed.
(2) Parliament shall have no power to enact any law which—
(a) confers on any person or authority the right to accord or withdraw recognition to or from a chief for any purpose whatsoever; or
(b) in any way detracts or derogates from the honour and dignity of the institution of chieftaincy.
(3) Nothing in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with, or in contravention of, clause (1) or (2) of this article if the law makes provision for—
(a) the determination, in accordance with the appropriate customary law and usage, by a traditional council, a Regional House of Chiefs or the National House of Chiefs or a Chieftaincy Committee of any of them, of the validity of the nomination, election, selection, installation or deposition of a person as a chief;
(b) a traditional council or a Regional House of Chiefs or the National House of Chiefs to establish and operate a procedure for the registration of chiefs and the public notification in the Gazette or otherwise of the status of persons as chiefs in Ghana. (Art. 270)
Customary Law
- English1. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Any law, customary practice or a decision of an organ of state or a public official which contravenes this Constitution shall be of no effect.
… (Art. 9) - Amharic1. ሕገ መንግሥቱ የሀገሪቱ የበላይ ሕግ ነው፡፡ ማንኛውም ሕግ፣ ልማዳዊ አሰራር፣እንዲሁም የመንግሥት አካል ወይም ባለሥልጣን ውሳኔ ከዚህ ሕገ መንግሥት ጋር የሚቃረን ከሆነ ተፈጻሚነት አይኖረውም፡፡
… (አንቀጽ 9)
Customary Law
- EnglishAn Act of Parliament may provide for the establishment, composition and jurisdiction of—
…
(b) customary law courts whose jurisdiction consists primarily in the application of customary law;
… (Sec. 174)
Customary Law
- English...
7. Rights in land and resources owned, held or otherwise acquired by the Government shall be exercised through the appropriate or designated level of government which shall recognize customary land rights under customary land law.
8. All levels of government shall institute a process to progressively develop and amend the relevant laws to incorporate customary rights and practices and local heritage.
… (Art. 171)
Customary Law
- English(1) There shall be a Court of Appeal.
(2) The Court of Appeal shall consist of –
(a) a President of the Court of Appeal; and
(b) such number of Justices of the Court of Appeal, not less than forty-nine of which not less than three shall be learned in Islamic personal law, and not less than three shall be learned in Customary law, as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. (Sec. 237)
Customary Law
- English
The freedom of belief, of non-belief, of conscience, of religious opinion, [of] philosophy, of exercise of belief, the freedom of assembly, the free practice of custom as well as the freedom of procession and of demonstration, are guaranteed by this Constitution, under reserve of respect for the law, for public order, for good morals and for the human person. (Art. 7)
- French
La liberté de croyance, de non croyance, de conscience, d’opinion religieuse, philosophique, d’exercice de culte, la liberté de réunion, la pratique de la coutume ainsi que la liberté de cortège et de manifestation sont garanties par la présente Constitution, sous réserve du respect de la loi, de l’ordre public, des bonnes mœurs et de la personne humaine. (Art. 7)