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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
- EnglishIn this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires—
…
• “chief” means a person bestowed as chief and who derives allegiance from the fact of birth or descent, in accordance with the customs, traditions, usage or consent of the people in a chiefdom;
... (Art. 266)
Customary Law
- English(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.
(2) Religious observances may be conducted at state or state-aided institutions, provided that-
(a) those observances follow rules made by the appropriate public authorities;
(b) they are conducted on an equitable basis; and
(c) attendance at them is free and voluntary.
(3) (a) This section does not prevent legislation recognising-
(i) marriages concluded under any tradition, or a system of religious, personal or family law; or
(ii) systems of personal and family law under any tradition, or adhered to by persons professing a particular religion.
(b) Recognition in terms of paragraph (a) must be consistent with this section and the other provisions of the Constitution. (Sec. 15)
Customary Law
- English...
3. All men and women have the right to marry and found a family.
4. No person shall be forced to enter into marriage.
5. Subsections (3) and (4) shall apply to all marriages at law, custom and marriages by repute or by permanent cohabitation.
… (Sec. 22)
Customary Law
- English(1) Traditional leaders have the following functions within their areas of jurisdiction—
(a) to promote and uphold cultural values of their communities and, in particular, to promote sound family values;
(b) to take measures to preserve the culture, traditions, history and heritage of their communities, including sacred shrines;
(c) to facilitate development;
(d) in accordance with an Act of Parliament, to administer Communal Land and to protect the environment;
(e) to resolve disputes amongst people in their communities in accordance with customary law; and
(f) to exercise any other functions conferred or imposed on them by an Act of Parliament.
(2) Except as provided in an Act of Parliament, traditional leaders have authority, jurisdiction and control over the Communal Land or other areas for which they have been appointed, and over persons within those Communal Lands or areas.
(3) In the performance of their functions, traditional leaders are not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority, except as may be prescribed in an Act of Parliament.
(4) An Act of Parliament must provide for the regulation of the conduct of traditional leaders. (Sec. 282)
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...
(5) There shall be a Council of Traditional Leaders to be established in terms of an Act of Parliament in order to advise the President on the control and utilization of communal land and on all such other matters as may be referred to it by the President for advice. (Art. 102)
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
The traditional chieftaincy is represented by the National Chamber of Traditional Kings and Chiefs. The National Chamber of Traditional Kings and Chiefs is the Institution regrouping all the traditional Kings and Chiefs of Côte d'Ivoire.
It is notably responsible for:
- the valorization of habits and customs;
- the promotion of the ideals of peace, of development and of social cohesion;
- the non-jurisdictional settlement of conflicts within villages and between communities.
The traditional chieftaincy participates, within the conditions determined by a law, in the administration of the territory. (Art. 175) - French
La chefferie traditionnelle est représentée par la Chambre nationale des Rois et Chefs traditionnels. La Chambre nationale des Rois et Chefs traditionnels est l’Institution regroupant tous les Rois et Chefs traditionnels de Côte d’Ivoire.
Elle est chargée notamment:
- de la valorisation des us et coutumes ;
- de la promotion des idéaux de paix, de développement et de cohésion sociale ;
- du règlement non juridictionnel des conflits dans les villages et entre les communautés.
La chefferie traditionnelle participe, dans les conditions déterminées par une loi, à l’administration du territoire. (Art. 175)
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)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe Togolese State recognizes the traditional chiefdom, guardian of use and customs.
The designation and the enthronement [intronisation] of the traditional chief obeys the use and customs of the locality. (Art. 143) - FrenchL’Etat togolais reconnaît la chefferie traditionnelle, gardienne des us et coutumes.
La désignation et l’intronisation du chef traditionnel obéissent aux us et coutumes de la localité. (Art. 143)