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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

Compulsory NGO registration – a death knell to activism?

Botswana Guardian 30 May 2025 By Tambudzai-Gonese-Manjonjo There is a rising trend of countries in the region enacting laws that compel all non-governmental organisations to register in order to operate…
Civic Rights Association & Assembly Articles

Defend The Press: Protect Free Expression & Democratic Values

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre is alarmed and outraged by the escalating assault on freedom of expression, assembly, and access to information across Southern Africa. The arrest of Zimbabwean journalist…
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…
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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…

Resources

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Articles

Amendments to the voluntary organisations Act threatens civic space in Zimbabwe

Mail & Guardian  27 May 2025 Melusi Simelane In a nation where democratic space is already under suffocating pressure, Zimbabwe’s new Private Voluntary Organisations (Amendment) Act, 2024 (PVO Act) arrives…
Angola

Compêndio de jurisprudência sobre direitos humanos

Entre 2014 e 2024, os juízes e a comunidade jurídica que participaram no Fórum Regional Africano de Juízes (ARJF) discutiram vários casos que fizeram avançar os direitos humanos e a…
Botswana

Recueil de jurisprudence sur les droits de l’homme

Entre 2014 et 2024, les juges et la communauté juridique participant au Forum régional annuel des juges africains (FRAJ) ont discuté de diverses affaires qui ont fait progresser les droits…
Botswana

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…