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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
- EnglishEthnic and cultural communities shall have the right to freely enjoy and develop their particular cultures. Members of such communities shall have the right to practice their beliefs, use their languages, observe their religions and raise their children within the context of their respective cultures and customs in accordance with this Constitution and the law. (Art. 33)
Customary Law
- English
The administration of justice guarantees the principle of legality; it protects [protege] and protects [tutela] the human rights, and guarantees the access to justice through the application of the law in the matters and processes of its competence.
The administration of justice recognizes citizen participation through the traditional leaders of the original Peoples of the Caribbean Coast and the Judicial Facilitators [Facilitadores Judiciales] in all the country, as alternative methods of access to justice and alternative resolution of conflicts, all in accordance with the law.
... (Art. 160) - Spanish
La administración de la justicia garantiza el principio de la legalidad; protege y tutela los derechos humanos, y garantiza el acceso a la justicia mediante la aplicación de la ley en los asuntos o procesos de su competencia.
La administración de justicia reconoce la participación ciudadana a través de los líderes tradicionales de los pueblos originarios de la Costa Caribe y los Facilitadores Judiciales en todo el país, como métodos alternos de acceso a la justicia y resolución alterna de conflictos, todo de conformidad con la ley.
… (Art. 160)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe traditional and customary authorities are the guarantors of use and custom. (Art. 217)
- Arabicالسلطات العرفية والتقليدية هي ضامنة التقاليد والأعراف. (المادة 217)
- FrenchLes Autorités Traditionnelles et Coutumières sont les garants des us et coutumes. (Art. 217)
Customary Law
- English(1) Freedom based on law consists of the least restriction on the activities of individuals consistent with the public welfare and the maintenance and development of Tuvalu and Tuvaluan society in accordance with this Constitution and, in particular, in accordance with the Principles set out in the Preamble.
(2) Everyone has the right to freedom based on law, and accordingly, subject to this Constitution -
(a) everyone has the legal right to do anything that —
(i) does not injure others or interfere with the rights and freedoms of others; and
(ii) is not prohibited by law; and
(b) no-one may be -
(i) legally obliged to do anything that is not required by law; or
(ii) prevented by law from doing anything that complies with the provisions of paragraph (a).
(3) This section is not intended to deny the existence, nature or effect of cultural, social, civic, family or religious obligations, or other obligations of a nonlegal nature, or to prevent such obligations being given effect by law if, and so far as, it may be thought appropriate to do so. (Sec. 10)
Customary Law
- EnglishUntil Parliament makes other provision under the preceding section, the provisions of Schedule 3 to this Constitution shall have effect for the purpose of determining the operation in Solomon Islands -
(a) of certain Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom mentioned therein;
(b) of the principles and rules of the common law and equity;
(c) of customary law; and
(d) of the legal doctrine of judicial precedent. (Sec. 76)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe authorities of the indigenous peoples can exercise their jurisdictional functions within their territorial scope, in conformity with their own norms and procedures, as long as these are not contrary to the Constitution and the laws of the Republic. The law will establish the forms of coordination of this special jurisdiction with the national judicial system. (Art. 246)
- SpanishLas autoridades de los pueblos indígenas podrán ejercer funciones jurisdiccionales dentro de su ámbito territorial, de conformidad con sus propias normas y procedimientos, siempre que no sean contrarios a la Constitución y leyes de la República. La ley establecerá las formas de coordinación de esta jurisdicción especial con el sistema judicial nacional. (Art. 246)
Customary Law
- EnglishI. The judicial function is singular. Ordinary jurisdiction is exercised by the Supreme Court of Justice, the departmental courts of justice, the sentencing courts and the judges; the agro-environmental jurisdiction is exercised by the Agro-Environmental Court and judges; and the rural native indigenous jurisdiction is exercised by their own authorities. There shall be specialized jurisdictions regulated by the law.
II. Ordinary jurisdiction and rural native indigenous jurisdiction enjoy equal status.
… (Art. 179) - SpanishI. La función judicial es única. La jurisdicción ordinaria se ejerce por el Tribunal Supremo de Justicia, los tribunales departamentales de justicia, los tribunales de sentencia y los jueces; la jurisdicción agroambiental por el Tribunal y jueces agroambientales; la jurisdicción indígena originaria campesina se ejerce por sus propias autoridades; existirán jurisdicciones especializadas reguladas por la ley.
II. La jurisdicción ordinaria y la jurisdicción indígena originario campesina gozarán de igual jerarquía.
... (Art. 179)
Customary Law
- English… The Guarantors’ Panel shall:
a) verify the conformity of laws, of regulations having force of law, as well as of customary rules having force of law, with the fundamental principles of the constitutional order
… (Art. 16) - Italian… Il Collegio Garante:
a) verifica, … la rispondenza delle leggi, degli atti aventi forza di legge a contenuto normativo, nonché delle norme anche consuetudinarie aventi forza di legge, ai principi fondamentali dell'ordinamento di cui alla presente legge o da questa richiamati;
… (Art. 16)
Customary Law
- English(1) If any person is charged with a criminal offence, then, unless the charge is withdrawn, the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established or recognized by law.
(2) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence-
…
(d) shall be permitted to defend himself or herself before the court in person or, at his or her own expense, by a legal representative of his or her own choice;
(e) shall be afforded facilities to examine in person or by his or her legal representative the witnesses called by the prosecution before the court, and to obtain the attendance and carry out the examination of witnesses to testify on his or her behalf before the court on the same conditions as those applying to witnesses called by the prosecution;
...
(8) No person shall be convicted of a criminal offence unless that offence is defined and the penalty therefor is prescribed in a written law:
...
(12) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of-
(b) subsection (2)(d) or (2)(e) of this section to the extent that the law in question prohibits legal representation before a subordinate court in proceedings for an offence under customary law (being proceedings against any person who, under that law, is subject to that law);
...
(e) subsection (8) of this section to the extent that the law in question authorizes a court to convict a person of a criminal offence under any customary law to which, by virtue of that law, such person is subject.
... (Sec. 10)