Association & Assembly

Ongoing Cases

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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…
Civic Rights

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…
Botswana

Botswana: Access to Information Request

In 2017, the Botswana Gazette requested information from the Water Utilities Corporation relating to a report which had been commissioned on the blocking of the flow of water from the…
Civic Rights

Eswatini: Right to freedom of assembly

Factual Background The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) organized a country wide protest that was to occur on 17, 18, and 19 September 2018. It was to be held…

Completed Cases

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Civic Rights

Eswatini: Sedition charges impact on freedom of expression

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…
Civic Rights

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

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…
Civic Rights

Zambia: Defending human rights defenders’ right to protest

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…
Civic Rights

Eswatini: Supporting the right to protest at a university

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.…

Articles

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Articles

Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow: International Women Human Rights Defenders Day

On 29 November 2022, the Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC) commemorates International Women's Human Rights Defenders Day under the theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow." SALC, whose mandate…
Articles

Journalist a terrorist? How anti-terrorism laws constitute a threat to fundamental human rights in Eswatini

In May 2022, the African Union (AU) held an extraordinary session on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Governments in Africa in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, resulting in a declaration entitled “robust…
Articles

A chance for the strengthening of due process of law in Eswatini

On the morning of 10 June 2022, the Supreme Court of Eswatini held the hearing of interlocutory questions related to the appeal filed by the State after a 16 September…
Articles

Free Press: Cornerstone of Democracy

The Nation 13 April 2022 By Chikondi Chijozi and Ruth Kaima The role of the media in any society is to investigate and share information and ideas, in particular on…

Resources

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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…
Civic Rights

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

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.