Focus areas

TOWARDS SECURING CHILDREN’S RIGHTS TO BIRTH REGISTRATION IN ZIMBABWE!

‘Those who espouse children’s rights have a vision of a better world for children and through this a better world for all.’ Michael Freeman Introduction Are the provisions in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013 (the Zimbabwean Constitution) which give effect to prompt provision of birth certificates to children mere cosmetic…

Staff Writer18 Oct 2021

Blog Health Rights

Mental Health in an Unequal World

10 October 2021 marks World Mental Health day. The World Federation for mental health has themed this year’s event “Mental Health in an Unequal World”. Mental health conditions can substantially affect all areas of life, such as school or work performance, relationships with friends and family, and the ability to…

Thabo Buthelezi10 Oct 2021

Children's Rights Malawi News Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

News Release: Malawi High Court awards damages for unlawful detention of pregnant learners

On 28 September 2021, the High Court of Malawi, sitting at Mzuzu, in the case of ON and Others v Attorney General awarded damages for false imprisonment against the state in a case where a First Grade Magistrate had imposed fines on learners and their parents for the learners’ pregnancy,…

Staff Writer6 Oct 2021

Botswana News SOGIE Rights

MEDIA ADVISORY: BOTSWANA COURT OF APPEAL SETS HEARING DATE FOR DECRIMINALISATION CASE FOR 12 OCTOBER 2021

On 11 June 2019, a full bench of the Botswana High Court unanimously found that the criminalisation of consensual same-sex sexual activities violates the constitutional rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons to dignity, liberty, privacy and equality. This decision was appealed by the State. The appeal is set…

Staff Writer30 Sep 2021

Articles and Opinions Blog Children's Rights Malawi Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

Malawi’s obligation to enact the Termination of Pregnancy Bill

In February 2021, Malawi was due to debate the Termination of Pregnancy Bill in Parliament. The Bill had finally been tabled after years of advocacy and various forms of resistance. There had been much debate over the Bill and what it represents, characterised by rabid resistance from some mainly religious…

Tambudzai Gonese27 Sep 2021

Blog Democratic Republic of Congo Eswatini Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association

CONCERN AS STATES CONTINUE TO USE TERRORISM LAWS TO INHIBIT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION

As the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) joins the world in commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information, SALC condemns the increased use of 'terrorism' laws to crackdown on freedom of expression and access to information in Africa. Arrests of the media and civil society actors under trumped-up…

Staff Writer27 Sep 2021

International Criminal Justice News South Africa

News Release: Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa dismisses Kouwenhoven’s appeal in two matters

On 22 September 2021, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) handed down two judgments in the matter Kouwenhoven v Minister of Police and Others and Kouwenhoven v Director of Public Prosecutions, Western Cape and Others relating to the extradition proceedings of Augustinus Petrus Maria Kouwenhoven (Kouwenhoven). Kouwenhoven is a Dutch…

Staff Writer22 Sep 2021

Eswatini Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association News

News Release: More delays as Eswatini MPs languish in jail

Mbabane, 22 September 2021 - On 14 September 2021, the High Court of Eswatini delivered judgement on the second bail application of Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube. The Members of Parliament have been in custody since 25 July 2021 and face charges under section 5(1) of the Suppression of…

Staff Writer22 Sep 2021

Articles and Opinions Children's Rights Zimbabwe

Tragic lack of urgency in dealing with child marriages

On 15 August 2021, Tambudzai Gonese-Manjonjo wrote an article for the Standard (Zimbabwe) tackling the lack of urgency in dealing with child marriages. Read the article here .

Staff Writer21 Sep 2021

Disability Rights Health Rights Research Reports & Policy Briefs SADC

An exploratory study of the interaction between the criminal justice system and persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities in Nairobi, Kenya

Access to justice has long seemed elusive for persons with various intellectual or psychosocial disabilities in Kenya. The fear of a child with an intellectual or psychosocial disability growing up and encountering the justice system only never to be heard from again is a frequent topic of discussion amongst caregivers.…

Staff Writer13 Sep 2021