Expression

Ongoing Cases

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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…
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

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…

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

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…
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…

Articles

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Articles

The truth is out there – but not available to everyone

Botswana Guardian 12 October 2023 By: Bradley Fortuin The Botswana High Court has, in its Botswana Gazette vs. Water Utilities Corporation judgment delivered 26 September 2023, denied the right to…
Botswana

Botswana High Court ignores Constitution and rules

Botswana High Court Ignores Constitution and Rules - There Is No Right to Access Information without Legislation. Gaborone, Botswana: The High Court of Botswana has dismissed an application reviewing the…
Articles

Uganda: Repeals vagrancy, sedition, and false news offences

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) notes that the Uganda Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023, has repealed some of the rogue and vagabond, sedition, and false news offences in…
Articles

Non-alignment or hypocrisy: South Africa’s non-alignment costing Africa’s human rights discourse

Washington Blade 31 May 2023 By Melusi Simelane In the past several months, South Africa’s foreign policy has been in the spotlight for essential and existential reasons that significantly impact…

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.