Challenging lack of bodily autonomy, discrimination, unequal access and legal barriers to enjoyment of rights. Support and empower communities to assert their rights and obtain redress for rights violations.
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Ongoing Cases
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…
Malawi: Case concerning malnutrition in prisons
Background The Constitution of the Republic of Malawi states in Section 42(1)(b) that “every person who is detained, including every sentenced prisoner, shall have the right to be detained under…
Displacement of communities & Illegal conversion of customary land: Chipabwamba & 12 Others v Yssel Enterprises Limited & Others
The Southern Africa Litigation Centre, in collaboration with the Muchinda Royal Establishment together with the Zambia Land Alliance, is assisting 13 community members, each representing their family in bringing forth a case where they seek to…
Completed Cases
Botswana: Chobe Land Board v Rebeccah Banika
The Southern Africa Litigation Centre is working with the Botswana Khwedom Council to support Kgosi Rebeccah Banika, a female Chief, who challenged the decision of the Chobe Land Board to…
Malawi: Man arrested and convicted for attempting to commit suicide
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: 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…
Botswana: Accountability for violation of rights of woman seeking reproductive healthcare in state institutions
SALC supported a case in which the Plaintiff, who had undergone a total abdominal hysterectomy and developed complications, and she was later diagnosed as having a vaginal fistula. She failed…
Articles
Exploring human rights, digital minefields and intersectionality in cyber politics
26 November 2025 By Bradley Fortuin The Midweek Sun In an era when digital infrastructures have a strong hold on everything from civic participation to surveillance, human rights interventions must…
The first courageous annual Palapye Pride in Botswana
By Seipone Boitshwarelo and Bradley Fortuin. Washington Blade, 4 November 2025 The Midweek Sun, 5 November 2025 MambaOnline, 8 November 2025 A beginning rooted in courage, community and love! "When…
Zambia’s Historic First: Legal capacity Communication submitted to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
On 21 August 2025, The Validity Foundation, together with the Mental Health Users Network of Zambia (MHUNZA) and Disability Rights Watch (DRW) with the technical support of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the Southern Africa…
Resources
Policy brief: Legal environment affecting key populations in Africa
This policy brief on Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Uganda outlines the legal gains in sexual and reproductive rights for key populations in these countries over the…
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…
