International Justice

Seeking accountability for international crimes and grave human rights violations by challenging decisions that enable impunity, enforcing international law and by strengthening corporate accountability.

Ongoing Cases

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International Justice

Amicus in class action on lead poisoning by Anglo America in Zambia

On 9 May 2022, Amnesty International and the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) have applied to intervene in an unprecedented class action lawsuit. The case was brought by a group…
International Justice

South African Arms Trade case: Human Rights organisations ask the Courts to review decisions to export arms to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

On 3 June 2021, the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) and Open Secrets launched an urgent two-part application in the North Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) seeking: The names of all…
International Justice

South Africa: Challenging NPA inaction for TRC related prosecutions

Nkadimeng v the National Director of Public Prosecutions and others SALC is supporting the family of Nokuthula Simelane to compel the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to either refer the disappearance…

Completed Cases

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International Justice

ICC: The Prosecutor v Dominic Ongwen: Joint amicus curiae submission by SALC and Prof. Bonita Meyersfeld

In the seminal case of The Prosecutor v Dominic Ongwen before the International Criminal Court (ICC), SALC and Prof. Bonita Meyersfeld have been admitted as amicus curiae. Dominic Ongwen (Mr.…
International Justice

South Africa: Revocation of visa to a convicted Dutch war criminal: Augustinus Maria Kouwenhoven

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre has filed an application requesting the Western Cape High Court to cancel the visa of convicted arms trafficker and war criminal Augustinus Maria Kouwenhoven. Kouwenhoven…
International Justice

South Africa: Joao Rodrigues v National Director of Public Prosecutions and Others (Timol case)

On 28 and 29 March 2019, the High Court in Pretoria will hear the criminal case of Rodrigues v National Director of Public Prosecutions (case number: 76755/18). Joao Rodrigues (“the…
International Justice

South Africa: Amicus curiae in Law Society of South Africa case challenging SA signing of new SADC Tribunal protocol

SALC was admitted as amicus curiae in the matter of the Law Society of South Africa and others vs the President and Others. At the hearing SALC made submissions pertaining to relevant international and…

Articles

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Articles

South African arms exports: Creating a practice of double standards?

South Africa’s stance in the Palestine situation, calling for a cessation of arms transfers and standing for the protection of human rights and civilians, embodies guiding principles and criteria that…
Articles

Should ‘threat of war’ justify non-compliance with Rome Statute? Unanswered questions from Putin arrest furore

Daily Maverick 24 July 2023 By Dr. Atilla Kisla Threats of force by states are prohibited under international law, and any conduct in that regard must be assessed seriously and…
Articles

South Africa and the ICC’s relationship is complicated…

Mail & Guardian 16 May 2023 By Dr. Atilla Kisla, International Justice Cluster Lead at the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) Typing in “South Africa” and “ICC” into a Google…
Articles

South Africa: A safe haven for perpetrators of international crimes?

Mail&Guardian 12 November 2021 Atilla Kisla The Office of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) visited Pretoria on 8 and 9 November to meet representatives of…

Resources

Civic Rights

2019-2021 Biennial report

SALC's biennial report captures activities for March 2019 to February 2021. Read the report here.
International Justice Resources

SALC policy brief on ICC witnesses and the review of the Rome Statute: The missing link

The Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court resolved in December 2019 to establish the Independent Expert Review to identify ways of strengthening…
International Justice

Universal Jurisdiction – a useful tool for prosecuting international crimes: Comparing the use of universal jurisdiction in Germany and South Africa

The Polity 07 May 2020 By Atilla Kisla Germany is prosecuting former Syrian state security members for crimes against humanity committed in Syria: What is the current status of the…
International Justice Resources

Demands for toppled Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir to face prosecution

The Daily Maverick Experts differ over whether the new Sudanese military junta should be pressured to surrender ousted President Omar al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court. The toppling of Sudanese…