Democratic Governance

Ongoing Cases

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Civic Rights

Tanzanian CSOs appeal East African Court ruling on online content regulations

SALC stands with the appellants in their continued fight to protect freedom of expression online in East Africa  The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) welcomes the decision of the Legal…
Articles

APPEAL FILED IN LANDMARK CASE AGAINST US-ESWATINI DEPORTEE DEAL

The Eswatini Litigation Centre, Mzwandile Banele Masuku, the Swaziland Rural Women's Assembly, and Melusi Simelane have submitted a Notice of Appeal to the Supreme Court of Eswatini, contesting the dismissal of…
Civic Rights Democratic Governanace Ongoing Cases

Missed opportunity for constitutional accountability in Eswatini

Mbabane, 4 February 2026 — The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) notes with serious concern today’s High Court decision dismissing the legal challenge to the Government of Eswatini’s deportation arrangement…
Civic Rights

Eswatini: Challenging the US-Eswatini deportation agreement

In the Eswatini Litigation Centre and Others v Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Others case, the applicants seek to declare an agreement between Eswatini and the United…

Completed Cases

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Botswana

Botswana: Affirming the right of same sex couples to get married

Two adult same sex women requested permission to marry each other from the government of Botswana. The litigants, Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile, were denied the right to have their…
Civic Rights

Surveillance, Cybercrime Laws & Treason: SALC at 89th OS ACHRP

https://youtu.be/l2mV4oAdjuo?si=v5YrA-YawiLvHRoq Southern Africa Litigation Centre 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Dakar, Senegal | 12–21 October 2026 Delivered by Melusi Simelane, Civic Rights Programme…
Articles

The precariat and the palace: why Eswatini’s next rupture will be worse

As Mswati III takes the chair of SADC’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, the conditions that set Eswatini alight in June 2021 are quietly reassembling at home. This…
Civic Rights Democratic Governance

Bill 22: Whose Commission? Why Eswatini Needs an Independent Body

A section-by-section reading of the Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration Bill (Bill No. 22 of 2025 Southern Africa Litigation Centre, with Lilungelo Lakho partners Why this Bill matters…

Articles

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Civic Rights Democratic Governance

Bill 22: Whose Commission? Why Eswatini Needs an Independent Body

A section-by-section reading of the Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration Bill (Bill No. 22 of 2025 Southern Africa Litigation Centre, with Lilungelo Lakho partners Why this Bill matters…
Articles

The cage, the bullet and the border: How Southern Africa punishes dissent and why our region must reclaim its institutions

Polity (4 June 2026) From Harare to Dar es Salaam to Mbabane to Lusaka, governments have learned they no longer need a guilty verdict to silence critics. They need a…
Articles

I live under Africa’s last absolute monarchy. Here’s what 40 years of total power looks like

Minority Africa King Mswati III of Eswatini just spent millions celebrating his ruby jubilee. Most of his people live below the poverty line, and a lawyer who wrote critically of…
Civic Rights Democratic Governance Articles

What Malawi can learn from Uganda and Kenya on refugee policy

What Malawi Can Learn from Uganda and Kenya on Refugee Policy By Chikondi Jere, SALC Criminal Justice Cluster lead Published in the Malawi Nation, 25 May 2026 Three years after…

Resources

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Angola

Compêndio de jurisprudência sobre direitos humanos

Entre 2014 e 2024, os juízes e a comunidade jurídica que participaram no Fórum Regional Africano de Juízes (ARJF) discutiram vários casos que fizeram avançar os direitos humanos e a…
Civic Rights

Recueil de jurisprudence sur les droits de l’homme

Entre 2014 et 2024, les juges et la communauté juridique participant au Forum régional annuel des juges africains (FRAJ) ont discuté de diverses affaires qui ont fait progresser les droits…
Civic Rights

African Regional Judges Forum human rights case law compendium

Between 2014 and 2024, the judges and legal community attending the annual African Regional Judges’ Forum (ARJF) have discussed various cases that have advanced human rights and equity across the…
Civic Rights

Revitilising the campaign against sedition and insult offences in Africa

Sedition laws are a serious threat to freedom of expression and democracy in Africa. These laws are often used to silence dissent and criminalize legitimate criticism of the government. In…