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

Botswana

Challenging Criminal Code on Alarming Publications in Botswana

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 Association & Assembly

Eswatini: Supreme Court judgment constitutes a threat to the rule of law

Mbabane, Eswatini, 22 September 2022: The Supreme Court of Eswatini issued a judgment that constitutes a threat to the rule of law and the protection of human rights in Eswatini.…
Civic Rights Association & Assembly

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…
Civic Rights Association & Assembly

Zambia: Challenging the enforcement of the offence of defamation of the President

The offence of defaming the President has been used far more in Zambia over the past decade than in many other countries. This is a great cause of concern and…

Completed Cases

Swaziland flag

Eswatini: Sedition charges impact on freedom of expression

| Civic Rights Association & Assembly, Civic Rights Completed Cases, Civic Rights Expression, Eswatini | No Comments
In May 2019, an activist was charged with sedition, on the basis that court papers which he had filed risked raising disaffection amongst the King's subjects. The offence of sedition…

Malawi: Protecting right to freedom of expression for Woman Human Rights Defenders

| Civic Rights Association & Assembly, Civic Rights Completed Cases, Civic Rights Expression, Equality Rights Completed Cases, Equality Rights Women, Malawi | No Comments
SALC is supporting the Women Lawyers Association (WLA) of Malawi to challenge the arbitrary arrest and detention of a Woman Human Rights Defender (WHRD) on a charge of “Insulting the…

Zambia: Defending human rights defenders’ right to protest

| Civic Rights Association & Assembly, Civic Rights Completed Cases, Civic Rights Expression, Criminal Justice Completed Cases, Criminal Justice Police Abuse, Zambia | No Comments
On 29 September 2017, Laura Miti, Sean Tembo, Fumba Chama, Bornwell Mwewa, Lewis Mwape and Mika Mwambazi were arrested in terms of section 127 of the Penal Code which provides…

Eswatini: Supporting the right to protest at a university

| Civic Rights Association & Assembly, Civic Rights Completed Cases, Civic Rights Expression, Eswatini, Socio-economic Rights Education | 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.…

Resources

Civic Rights Association & Assembly

SALC submission on Zimbabwe’s 3rd universal periodic review

Zimbabwe is in the midst of an economic crisis, which has only been exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdown restrictions have led to a decrease in manufacturing,…
Civic Rights Resources

2019-2021 Biennial report

SALC's biennial report captures activities for March 2019 to February 2021. Read the report here.
Civic Rights Association & Assembly

SALC submission to the OHCHR for the Tanzania UPR

In March 2021, SALC made a submission to the Office of the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights for the Tanzania UPR 39th session. Read the submission here.
Civic Rights Resources

SALC Submission on the Computer Crime and Cybercrime Bill, 2020

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) filed written submissions in the Parliament of Eswatini. The  submissions were filed with the Clerk of the ICT Portfolio Committee. In the submissions, SALC…