Police Abuse

Ongoing Cases

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Criminal Justice

Malawi: Bringing accountability for sexual violence by the police

Background Petty offences are minor offences for which the punishment is prescribed by law to carry a warning, community service, a low-value fine or short term of imprisonment, often for…
Criminal Justice

Malawi: Challenging constitutionality of offence which criminalises poverty

Factual Background One of the enduring legacies of colonialism in Africa is the police practice of arbitrary mass arrests. These so-called ‘sweeping’ or ‘swooping’ exercises are typically conducted by police…
Criminal Justice

Malawi: Challenging the constitutionality of police sweeping exercises

Background One of the enduring legacies of colonialism in Africa is the police practice of arbitrary mass arrests. These so-called ‘sweeping’ exercises are typically conducted by police over weekends and…

Completed Cases

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Criminal Justice

Malawi: Challenging eviction of Blantyre informal traders

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

Malawi: Ending impunity of police officers for rape

Background Section 153 of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi and Section 4 of the Malawi Police Services Act provide that the Malawi Police Services’ mandate is to provide…
Criminal Justice

Malawi: Challenging detention of children in police custody

Background Detention of children is prohibited under the Malawi Child Care Protection and Justice of 2010. Detention is only allowed in exceptional circumstances. Where a detention order is made against…
Criminal Justice Completed Cases

Nigeria: Challenge to arbitrary arrest of women during sweeping exercises

Factual Background At 11pm on 22 February 2017, the Joint Task Force broke down the doors of the homes of the applicants, assaulted them, indecently searched them, took the money…

Articles

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Articles

Protect Sex Workers’ Rights

The Nation By Luntha Chimbwete 27 March 2023 It is commonly known that all over the world – including Malawi, women are involved in the sex work industry for a…
Articles

Ending impunity for police officers who commit sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Malawi

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV),  inflicts harm on women and girls and is a severe violation of bodily integrity and autonomy, especially when perpetrated by persons in positions of authority,…
Articles

Malawi: Human rights during a lockdown

The Weekend Nation 25 April 2020 Victor Mhango from the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) and Anneke Meerkotter and Chikondi Chijozi from the Southern Africa Litigation…

Resources

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Civic Rights Association & Assembly

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 Resources

2019-2021 Biennial report

SALC's biennial report captures activities for March 2019 to February 2021. Read the report here.
Criminal Justice Criminal Law Reform

Joint Stakeholder Submission: Universal Periodic Review of Tanzania

In March 2021, an anonymous human rights defender from Tanzania, SALC and SRI made a joint stakeholders submission for the Tanzania UPR 39th session. Read the submission here.
Criminal Justice

Zambia: Submission on the review of the penal code and criminal procedure code

SALC made submission on the review of the Zambian penal code and criminal procedure code. Read the submission here.