Ongoing Cases
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…
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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
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…
