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Expression

Ongoing Cases

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Botswana

Right to access information back in the spotlight in Botswana

9 July 2024; Gaborone, Botswana: The Botswana Gazette is returning to the Court of Appeal on Thursday, 11 July 2024. This is to appeal a 2023 High Court ruling that…
Botswana

High Court sets a date for constitutional challenge on ‘alarming publications’ provision

The High Court of Botswana has set 15 May 2024 as the date to hear the constitutional challenge of Section 59(1) of the Botswana Penal Code.
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…
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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…

Completed Cases

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Articles

SUPREME COURT IGNORES RIGHTS VIOLATIONS: UPHOLDS SEDITION

15 August 2024 – On 13 August 2024, the Eswatini Supreme Court handed down its long-awaited judgement in the case of Prime Minister of Eswatini and Another v Thulani Maseko…
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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

Namibia: Challenging refusal to allow same-sex partner to live and work in Namibia same-sex

Background On 20 January 2022, the High Court of Namibia gave judgment in the consolidated cases of Digashu v Government of the Republic of Namibia and Seiler-Lilles v Government of…
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…

Articles

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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…
Articles

Running from the past? Afrikaner ‘refugees’ leave South Africa amid controversy and irony

Polity 13 May 2025 Makhosemvelo Mthembu They once ruled the land through oppression and law. Now, they claim to be fleeing the country they once controlled. But can you genuinely…
Articles

eSwatini’s 20 years of constitutionalism characterised by a crackdown on freedom of expression

Mail & Guadian  8 May 2025 Melusi Simelane Although the African Union has declared 2025 the year of reparations, justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations, many…
Articles

Reform the African criminal justice system, starting with prisons oversight

Mail & Guardian 14 April 2025 By Melusi Simelane & Chikondi Chikozi In a world increasingly defined by impunity and political repression, the erosion of the rights once championed by…

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…