News

Children's Rights Malawi News Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

News Release: Malawi Constitutional Court to hear challenge to use of defilement offence against adolescents engaging in consensual sex

Blantyre, 29 October 2021 - The Chief Justice, Honourable Justice A.K.C. Nyirenda has certified as a constitutional matter, the case of AJ v State, in which a 15-year old boy was charged with the offence of defilement for having a consensual sexual relationship with a 13 year old girl. The…

Staff Writer29 Oct 2021

Blog Children's Rights News Zimbabwe

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

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

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

Eswatini Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association News Rule of Law

STATEMENT: SALC CALLS FOR THE RECUSAL OF 2 JUDGES IN ESWATINI TERRORISM CASE

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) is concerned by the travesty of justice and violation of judicial independence that might occur if the terrorism and sedition appeal before the Supreme Court of Eswatini proceeds on 30 August 2021. “The disregard of judicial independence in political matters is often mooted in…

Staff Writer18 Aug 2021

Botswana Disability Rights News

Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Botswana

On 12 August 2021, the United Nations office issued a notification (Ref: C.N.216. 2021.TREATIES-IV.15) communicating Botswana’s accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) with effect from 11 August 2021. The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) applauds the Government of Botswana for ratifying CRPD after years…

Staff Writer16 Aug 2021

Criminal Justice News SADC Sex Worker Rights

NEWS RELEASE: ABUJA HIGH COURT DENOUNCES VIOLATION OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

12 August 2021, Abuja – On 5 August 2021, the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, per Justice Maha, handed down a groundbreaking decision against law enforcement agencies that violated women’s rights. The Applicants were among 71 women who were arrested at various public spaces in Abuja between 17 and…

Anneke Meerkotter12 Aug 2021

Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association News Rule of Law Zambia

Statement calling on the government of Zambia to uphold human rights ahead of the upcoming elections

On 12 August 2021, general elections will be held in Zambia wherein voters will elect a President, 156 members of parliament, and 117 district council leaders. The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) calls upon Zambian authorities and political parties to commit to respecting, protecting, promoting, and ensuring full respect for…

Staff Writer11 Aug 2021