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Civic Rights

Challenging laws and policies that limit freedom of expression, assembly and association, including implementation of FATF Recommendations on money laundering and terrorist financing in an overly broad manner that limits civic rights.

Ongoing Cases

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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…
Botswana

Botswana: Botswana Gazette takes water utility to court on access to information

In 2014, the Sunday Standard newspaper carried a story entitled “The rich blocking water flow in Gaborone dam”, wherein it was reported that the WUC commissioned a study which allegedly…
Botswana - flag
Botswana

Botswana: Challenging criminal code on alarming publications

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) supports  Tshepo Junionr Sethibe through Obonye Attorneys, represented by Dr Jonas Obonye, who are challenging Section 59(1) of the Botswana Penal Code. The provision…
Civic Rights

South Africa: Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission and another

On 22 September 2020, the Constitutional Court will hear the case of Jonathan Dubula Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission and Another (case no: 13/20). The Constitutional Court will…

Completed Cases

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Eswatini: Supporting the right to protest at a university

| Civic Rights, Civic Rights Association & Assembly, Civic Rights Association & Assembly Completed Cases, Civic Rights Completed Cases, Eswatini | No Comments
SALC is concerned that the doctrine of common purpose is on occasion used by university councils to punish student leaders where damages of university property occurred during a student protest.…

Malawi: Challenging the constitutionality of criminal defamation

| Civic Rights, Civic Rights Completed Cases, Civic Rights Expression, Civic Rights Expression Completed Cases, Malawi | No Comments
On 17 December 2024, the Malawi High Court, sitting as a Constitutional Court, heard a constitutional challenge to the offence of criminal defamation under section 200 of Malawi’s Penal Code.…

Zimbabwe: Challenging the disenfranchisement of Zimbabweans in the diaspora

| Civic Rights, Civic Rights Association & Assembly, Civic Rights Association & Assembly Completed Cases, Civic Rights Completed Cases, Civic Rights Expression, Civic Rights Expression Completed Cases, Zimbabwe | No Comments
Shumba & Others v Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs & Others SALC supported three members of the Zimbabwe Diaspora, represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who challenged…

Zimbabwe: Challenging limits on voter education

| Civic Rights, Civic Rights Association & Assembly, Civic Rights Association & Assembly Completed Cases, Civic Rights Completed Cases, Civic Rights Expression, Civic Rights Expression Completed Cases, Zimbabwe | No Comments
Veritas v. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission & 2 Others SALC is providing support to Veritas, a non-profit organisation based in Zimbabwe which provides publicly accessible information on the work of the…

Articles

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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…
Articles

Driven out by design: The leadership crisis behind Africa’s migration

Substack (02 May 2026) Migration is rational. It is not a pathology. It is a response to a leadership emergency. When Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addressed her European Union…

Resources

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Angola

CompĂŞndio de jurisprudĂŞncia sobre direitos humanos

Entre 2014 e 2024, os juĂ­zes e a comunidade jurĂ­dica que participaram no FĂłrum Regional Africano de JuĂ­zes (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 communautĂ© juridique participant au Forum rĂ©gional annuel des juges africains (FRAJ) ont discutĂ© 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…