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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.
Property, Inheritance and Land Tenure
Tuvalu, English
(1) Every person in Tuvalu is entitled, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs, or sex, to the following fundamental rights and freedoms: -
…
(h) protection for the privacy of his home and other property (see section 21); and
… (Sec. 11)
Property, Inheritance and Land Tenure
Tuvalu, English
(1) In this section, discrimination refers to the treatment of different people in different ways wholly or mainly because of their different
(a) races; or
(b) places of origin; or
(c) political opinions; or
(d) colours; or
(e) religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs, in such a way that one such person is for some such reason given more favourable treatment or less favourable treatment than another such person.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Part, and in particular to —
(a) the succeeding provisions of this section; and
(b) section 29 (Protection of Tuvaluan values, etc.); and
(c) section 31 (disciplined forces of Tuvalu); and
(d) section 32 (foreign disciplined forces); and
(e) section 33 (hostile disciplined forces); and
(f) section 36 (restrictions on certain rights and freedoms during public emergencies), no-one shall be treated in a discriminatory manner.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a law so far as it makes provision –
…
(e) in relation to land; … (Sec. 27)
Status of International Law
Tuvalu, 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 –
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(c) international conventions, declarations, recommendations and judicial decisions concerning human rights;
… (Sec. 15)
Protection from Violence
Tuvalu, English
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, and in particular to —
(a) the succeeding provisions of this section; and
(b) section 32 (foreign disciplined forces); and
(c) section 33 (hostile disciplined forces); and
(d) section 36 (restrictions on certain rights and freedoms during public emergencies), no-one shall —
(e) be held in slavery or servitude; or
(f) be required to perform forced labour.
(2) For the purposes of this section —
(a) slavery or servitude includes slavery or servitude within the meaning of any international or multinational convention or treaty prohibiting slavery or servitude to which Tuvalu is a party;
... (Sec. 18)
Protection from Violence
Tuvalu, English
Subject to the provisions of this Part, and in particular to —
(a) section 32 (foreign disciplined forces); and
(b) section 33 (hostile disciplined forces),
no-one shall —
(c) be tortured; or
(d) given inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. (Sec. 19)
Protection from Violence
Tuvalu, English
(1) Every person in Tuvalu is entitled, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs, or sex, to the following fundamental rights and freedoms: —
…
(c) security for his person (see sections 18 and 19);
… (Sec. 11)
Status of the Constitution
Tuvalu, English
(1) This Constitution is the supreme law of Tuvalu and, subject to subsection (2), any act (whether legislative, executive or judicial) that is inconsistent with it is, to the extent of the inconsistency, void.
(2) All other laws shall be interpreted and applied subject to this Constitution, and, as far as is practicable, in such a way as to conform with it. (Sec. 3)
Customary Law
Tuvalu, English
… AND WHEREAS the people of Tuvalu desire to constitute themselves as an independent State based on Christian principles, the Rule of Law, and Tuvaluan custom and tradition; … (Preamble)
Customary Law
Tuvalu, English
...
3. While believing that Tuvalu must take its rightful place amongst the community of nations in search of peace and the general welfare, nevertheless the people of Tuvalu recognize and affirm, with gratitude to God, that the stability of Tuvaluan society and the happiness and welfare of the people of Tuvalu, both present and future, depend very largely on the maintenance of Tuvaluan values, culture and tradition, including the vitality and the sense of identity of island communities and attitudes of co-operation, self-help and unity within and amongst those communities.
4. Amongst the values that the people of Tuvalu seek to maintain are their traditional forms of communities, the strength and support of the family and family discipline.
5. In government, and in social affairs generally, the guiding principles of Tuvalu are
- agreement, courtesy and the search for consensus, in accordance with traditional Tuvaluan procedures, rather than alien ideas of confrontation and divisiveness;
- the need for mutual respect and co-operation between the different kinds of authorities concerned, including the central Government, the traditional authorities, local governments and authorities, and the religious authorities.
6. The life and the laws of Tuvalu should therefore be based on respect for human dignity, and on the acceptance of Tuvaluan values and culture, and on respect for them.
7. Nevertheless, the people of Tuvalu recognize that in a changing world, and with changing needs, these principles and values, and the manner and form of their expression (especially in legal and administrative matters), will gradually change, and the Constitution not only must recognize their fundamental importance to the life of Tuvalu but also must not unnecessarily hamper their expression and their development.
… (Principles of the Constitution)7
Customary Law
Tuvalu, English
1. Every person in Tuvalu is entitled, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs, or sex, to the following fundamental rights and freedoms:-
...
(2) The rights and freedoms referred to in subsection (1) can, in Tuvaluan society, be exercised only –
...
(b) in acceptance of Tuvaluan values and culture, and with respect for them.
… (Sec. 11)