Children’s Rights

Children's Rights Criminal Justice Malawi News

News Release: Malawi High Court declared detention of children in police custody unlawful

Blantyre, 30 July 2021 – The Malawi High Court today delivered a judgment declaring the lower Court’s detention of children in police custody unlawful. The presiding Judge, Justice Chirwa, stated that the applicants’ detention in Limbe Police Station was unlawful, and the Court ordered their immediate release from custody. The…

Staff WriterJul 30, 2021

Children's Rights Criminal Justice Malawi Ongoing cases Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

Bringing accountability for sexual violence by the police

Background Petty offences are minor offences for which the punishment is prescribed by law to carry a warning, community service, a low-value fine or short term of imprisonment, often for failure to pay the fine. Examples include, but are not limited to, offences such as being a rogue and vagabond,…

Staff WriterJul 15, 2021

Children's Rights Malawi News Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

Media Advisory: Challenging criminalisation of adolescent sexuality in Malawi

On 7 July 2021 the High Court in Blantyre will hear the case of an adolescent child of 15 years old who was arrested and charged with the offence of Defilement contrary to section 138(1) of the Penal Code due to having a consensual sexual relationship with another child. The…

Staff WriterJul 6, 2021

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2019-2021 Biennial report

SALC's biennial report captures activities for March 2019 to February 2021. Read the report here.

Staff WriterMay 18, 2021

Children's Rights Malawi Ongoing cases

MALAWI: CHALLENGING DETENTION OF CHILDREN IN POLICE CUSTODY

Background Detention of children is prohibited under the Malawi Child Care Protection and Justice of 2010. Detention is only allowed in exceptional circumstances. Where a detention order is made against a child before liability against the child is made, it is the requirement of the law that such detention should…

Staff WriterMay 1, 2021

Children's Rights Malawi News Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

SALC in the news: Student’s rape case attracts CSOs attention

On 25 February 2021, The Nation reported about a girl who was raped in police custody. Read the article here.

Staff WriterFeb 25, 2021

Children's Rights Malawi News Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

News Release: Challenge to use of Defilement Offences against Adolescents Engaged in Consensual Sex in Malawi

Blantyre, 26 August 2020 – Yesterday, the Child Justice Court sitting in Blantyre, Malawi, issued an order for a stay of criminal proceedings against an adolescent boy who was charged with the offence of defilement pending determination of the High Court on the constitutionality of the offence. Currently, section 138(1)…

Staff WriterAug 26, 2020

Children's Rights Malawi Ongoing cases Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

MALAWI: CHALLENGING CRIMINALISATION OF ADOLESCENT SEXUALITY

SALC is working with Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) – Malawi in a challenge to the law of defilement in s138 of the Penal Code, insofar as it criminalises consensual sex between adolescents in Malawi. It is illegal to have sex with a girl under the age of 16 in Malawi, and there are no exceptions…

Staff WriterJul 3, 2020

Children's Rights Malawi Ongoing cases Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

Malawi: Seeking accountability for unlawful detention of pregnant learners

SALC is working with Youth Watch Society (YOWSO) in Malawi on a case seeking the payment of damages for false imprisonment after a Magistrates Court decision to fine parents of students who were pregnant and those responsible for the pregnancies at a school in Malawi. This follows a judgment in…

Staff WriterApr 30, 2020

Articles and Opinions Children's Rights Malawi

Malawi: Human rights during a lockdown

The Weekend Nation 25 April 2020 Victor Mhango from the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) and Anneke Meerkotter and Chikondi Chijozi from the Southern Africa Litigation Centre SALC) Malawi’s 2020 Public Health (Corona Virus Prevention, Containment and Management) Rules, prescribes what must happen if and when…

Staff WriterApr 28, 2020

News Release: Malawi High Court declared detention of children in police custody unlawful

Bringing accountability for sexual violence by the police

Media Advisory: Challenging criminalisation of adolescent sexuality in Malawi

2019-2021 Biennial report

MALAWI: CHALLENGING DETENTION OF CHILDREN IN POLICE CUSTODY

SALC in the news: Student’s rape case attracts CSOs attention

News Release: Challenge to use of Defilement Offences against Adolescents Engaged in Consensual Sex in Malawi

MALAWI: CHALLENGING CRIMINALISATION OF ADOLESCENT SEXUALITY

Malawi: Seeking accountability for unlawful detention of pregnant learners

Malawi: Human rights during a lockdown

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