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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.
Status of the Constitution
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, English
This Constitution is the supreme law of Saint Vincent and, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, if any other law is inconsistent with this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. (Sec. 101)
Judicial Protection
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, English
(1) If any person allege that any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 inclusive of this Constitution has been, is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him (or, in the case of a person who is detained, if any other person alleges such a contravention in relation to the detained person), then, without prejudice to any other actin with respect to the same matter that is lawfully available, that person (or that other person) may apply to the High Court for redress.
(2) The High Court shall have original jurisdiction-
a. to hear and determine any application made by any person in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section, and
b. to determine any question arising in the case of any person which is referred to it in pursuance of subsection (3) of this section, and may make such declarations and orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 (inclusive) of this Constitution:
Provided that the High Court may decline to exercise its powers under this subsection if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the contravention alleged are or have been available to the person concerned under any other law.
(3) If in any proceeding in any court (other than the Court of Appeal or the High Court or a court-martial) any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of sections 2 to 15 (inclusive) of this Constitution, the person presiding in that court may, and shall if any party to the proceedings so request, refer the question to the High Court unless, in his opinion, the raising of the question is merely frivolous or vexatious.
(4) Where any question is referred to the High Court in pursuance of subsection (3) of this section, the High Court shall gibe its decision upon the question and the court in which the question arose shall dispose of the case in accordance with that decision or, if that decision is the subject of an appeal to the Court of Appeal or to Her Majesty in Council, in accordance with the decision of the Court of Appeal or, as the case may be, of Her Majesty in Council.
(5) The High Court shall have such powers in addition to those conferred by this section as may be conferred upon it by Parliament for the purpose of enabling or more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this section.
(6) The Chief Justice may make rules with respect to the practice and procedure of the High Court in relation to the jurisdiction and power conferred on it by or under this section (including rules with respect to the time within which applications may be brought and references shall be made to the High Court). (Sec. 16)
Obligations of Private Parties
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, English
Where every person in Saint Vincent is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, color, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, … (Sec. 1)
Judicial Protection
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, English
Subject to the provisions of section 36 of this Constitution, an appeal shall lie from decisions of the High Court to the Court of Appeal as of right in the following cases-
…
b. final decisions given in exercise of the jurisdiction conferred on the High Court by section 16 of this Constitution (which relates to the enforcement of the fundamental rights and freedoms);
… (Sec. 98)
Obligations of the State
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, English
Where every person in Saint Vincent is entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, color, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, … (Sec. 1)
Citizenship and Nationality
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, English
(1) Every person who, having been born in Saint Vincent, is immediately before the commencement of this Constitution a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall become a citizen at such commencement.
(2) Every person who, immediately before the commencement of this Constitution, is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies
a. having become such a citizen under the British Nationality Act 1948 (a) by virtue of this having been naturalized in Saint Vincent as a British subject before that Act came into force; or
b. having while resident in Saint Vincent become such a citizen by virtue of his having been naturalized or registered under that Act, shall become a citizen at such commencement.
(3) Every person who, having been born outside Saint Vincent, is immediately before the commencement of this Constitution a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall, if his father or mother becomes, or would but for his death or the renunciation of his citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies have become, a citizen by virtue of subsection (1) or subsection (2) of this section, become a citizen at such commencement.
(4) Every woman who, having been married to a person who becomes, or but for his death or the renunciation of his citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies would have become, a citizen by virtue of subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section, is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies immediately before the commencement of this Constitution shall become a citizen at such commencement. (Sec. 90)
Citizenship and Nationality
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, English
Every person born in Saint Vincent after the commencement of this Constitution shall become a citizen at the date of his birth: Provided that a person shall not become a citizen by virtue of this section if at the time of his birth-
a. neither of his parents is a citizen of Saint Vincent and his father or mother possesses such immunity from suit and legal process as is accorded to the envoy of a foreign sovereign power accredited to Saint Vincent; or
b. his father is a citizen of a country with which Saint Vincent is at war and the birth occurs in a place then under occupation by that country. (Sec. 91)
Citizenship and Nationality
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, English
A person born outside Saint Vincent after the commencement of this Constitution shall become a citizen at the date of his birth if, at that date, his father or mother is a citizen otherwise than by virtue of this section or section 90(3) of this Constitution. (Sec. 92)
Citizenship and Nationality
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, English
(1) The following persons shall be entitled, upon making application, to be registered as citizens--
a. any woman who is married to a citizen or who has been married to a person who, at any time during the period during which they were married to each other, was a citizen;
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e. any woman who is married to any such person as is mentioned in paragraph (b), (c) or d. of this subsection or who was married to a person who, at any time during the period during which they were married to each other, was entitled to be registered as a citizen under any such paragraph;
...
f. any woman who, before the commencement of this Constitution, has been married to a person—
i) who becomes a citizen by virtue of section 90 of this Constitution; or
ii) who, having died before such commencement, would but for his death have become a citizen by virtue of that section,
(2) The following persons shall be entitled, upon making application, to be registered as citizens—
a. any man who is married to a citizen or who has been married to a person who, at any time during the period during which they were married to each other, was a citizen;
b. any person who, being a Commonwealth citizen, is and for seven years previous to his application has been ordinarily resident in Saint Vincent;
c. any man who is married to any such person as is mentioned in paragraph (b), (c) or (d) of subsection (1) of this section or who was married to a person who, at any time during the period during which they were married to each other, was entitled to apply to be registered as a citizen under any such paragraph;
d. any person under the age of twenty-one years who is the stepchild or child adopted in a manner recognised by law of a citizen or is the child, stepchild or child so adopted of a person who is or would but for his death have been entitled to be registered as a citizen under subsection (1) of this section:
Provided that if it is so provided by Parliament an application for registration as a citizen under this subsection may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed by Parliament in the interests of defence, public safety or public order, be refused by the Minister responsible for the matter in any case in which he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for refusing the application.
(3) An application under this section shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed, as respects that application, by or under a law enacted by Parliament and, in the case of a person to whom subsection (2) (d) of this section applies, it shall be made on his behalf by his parent or guardian:
Provided that, if any such person is or has been married, he may make the application himself.
… (Sec. 93)
Citizenship and Nationality
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, English
There shall be such provisions as may be made by Parliament for-
a. the acquisition of citizenship by persons who are not eligible or who are no longer eligible to become citizens under the provisions of this Chapter2:
b. depriving of his citizenship any person who is a citizen otherwise than by virtue of section 90, 91 or 92 of this Constitution;
c. the renunciation by any person of his citizenship. (Sec. 94)