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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. 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
- EnglishWe, the people of Eswatini, …Whereas it has become necessary to review the various constitutional documents, decrees, laws, customs and practices so as to promote good governance, the rule of law, respect for our institutions and the progressive development of the Eswatini society;Whereas it is necessary to blend the good institutions of traditional Law and custom with those of an open and democratic society so as to promote transparency and the social, economic and cultural development of our Nation;… (Preamble)
Customary Law
- English
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- RECOGNIZING the customary and traditional leadership [chefferie] as [a] moral authority[,] depository of the customs and of the traditions in our society;
… (Preamble) - French
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RECONNAISSANT la chefferie coutumière et traditionnelle en tant qu’autorité morale dépositaire des coutumes et des traditions dans notre société;
… (Préambule)
Customary Law
- EnglishAn Act of Parliament may provide for the establishment, composition and jurisdiction of—
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(b) customary law courts whose jurisdiction consists primarily in the application of customary law;
… (Sec. 174)
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
- EnglishWithout prejudice to the other provisions of this Constitution, the following matters are of the exclusive competence of the Provinces:
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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 :
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28. l’exécution du droit coutumier;
… (Art. 204)
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
- 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. Subject to clauses (4), (5) and (7), no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
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3. In this Article the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable, wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, tribe, sex, place of origin, marital status, political opinions, colour or creed whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
4. Clause (1) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision-
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c. with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law;
d. for the application in the case of members of a particular race or tribe, of customary law with respect to any matter to the exclusion of any law with respect to that matter which is applicable in the case of other persons;
… (Art. 23)
Customary Law
- EnglishCustomary and traditional rules concerning collective criminal responsibility are prohibited. (Art. 27)
- Arabicتحظر القواعد العرفية والتقليدية المتعلقة بالمسؤولية الجنائية الجماعية. (المادة 27)
- FrenchLes règles coutumières et traditionnelles relatives à la responsabilité pénale collective sont interdites. (Art. 27)