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Criminal Justice

Challenging the use of the criminal justice system in a manner that targets poor and marginalised persons, wide-scale impunity for abusive policing practices, over-criminalisation and overcrowding in prisons.

Ongoing Cases

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Criminal Justice

Malawi: Protecting the rights of refugees

On 29 May 2023, a judicial review application was filed on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers in Malawi, challenging the detention of refugees and asylum seekers including children. The…
Criminal Justice

Malawi: Lilongwe informal traders challenge eviction and confiscation of goods

On 5 June 2023, the High Court of Malawi granted leave for judicial review to challenge the Lilongwe by-laws evicting informal traders from plying their trade on the streets and…
Prison
Criminal Justice

Mozambique: Challenging privileged conditions in prison for the rich

On 24 May 2023, 2000 Mozambican citizens, under the leadership of lawyer and human rights activist, Maria Alice Mabota, filed a petition before the Constitutional Council against section 8(2) of…
Criminal Justice

Kenya: Challenge to offence of attempted suicide

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre is supporting a constitutional petition in Kenya, for   Coalition Action for Preventive Mental Health in Kenya (CAMPHK) as an interested party challenging section 226 of…

Completed Cases

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Kenya: Challenge to offence of attempted suicide

| Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Completed Cases, Criminal Justice Criminal Law Reform, Criminal Justice Ongoing Cases, Equality Rights, Equality Rights Health, Equality Rights Health Ongoing Cases | No Comments
The Southern Africa Litigation Centre is supporting a constitutional petition in Kenya, for   Coalition Action for Preventive Mental Health in Kenya (CAMPHK) as an interested party challenging section 226 of…

Malawi: Challenging eviction of Blantyre informal traders

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The Blantyre informal traders are challenging forced eviction from the marketplace by the city council.

Malawi: Man arrested and convicted for attempting to commit suicide

| Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Completed Cases, Criminal Justice Criminal Law Reform, Criminal Justice Criminal Law Reform Completed Cases, Equality Rights, Equality Rights Completed Cases, Equality Rights Health, Equality Rights Health Completed Cases, Malawi | No Comments
Background Suicide continues to be a global health concern, affecting all continents. During the lockdown period to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic between April and September 2020, Malawi…

Malawi: High Court of Malawi reviews harsh sentences imposed on possession of Indian hemp

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Background On 15 June 2022, a 17-year-old boy was allegedly found in possession of 78 plastic bags (weighing about 134 kilograms) of Indian hemp at his home. He was subsequently…

Articles

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Articles

The badge we fear

Polity 14 May 2025 Makhosemvelo Mthembu In South Africa, police abuse is not an isolated incident — it is our daily reality. For many communities, especially the poor and marginalised,…
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…
Articles

What’s new in the Prison Bill 2025

Weekend Nation 5 April 2025 Chikondi Chijozi The Prisons Act in Malawi was enacted into law in 1956. When Malawi adopted the 1994 Constitution, which entrenched the Bill of Rights…
Articles

Addressing prison overcrowding

African LII 20 March 2025 By Anneke Meerkotter According to data from the World Prison Brief, there are approximately 398,206 individuals incarcerated in the SADC region. Of the 16 SADC…

Resources

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Criminal Justice

The ties that bind us

This collection of photos is curated in honour of Desmond Tutu, who continues to inspire our work. Click here to view the English, Portuguese, and French exhibition booklet.
Articles

What’s new in the Prison Bill 2025

Weekend Nation 5 April 2025 Chikondi Chijozi The Prisons Act in Malawi was enacted into law in 1956. When Malawi adopted the 1994 Constitution, which entrenched the Bill of Rights…
Articles

Petty policing practices

African Disability Rights Yearbook Volume 12 Petty policing practices: Enforcement of minor offences against persons with psychosocial disabilities in three East African countries By Anneke Meerkotter Anneke Meerkotter contributed an…
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…