News

TOWARDS SECURING CHILDREN’S RIGHTS TO BIRTH REGISTRATION IN ZIMBABWE!

‘Those who espouse children’s rights have a vision of a better world for children and through this a better world for all.’ Michael Freeman Introduction Are the provisions in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013 (the Zimbabwean Constitution) which give effect to prompt provision of birth certificates to children mere cosmetic…

Staff Writer18 Oct 2021

Blog Health Rights

Mental Health in an Unequal World

10 October 2021 marks World Mental Health day. The World Federation for mental health has themed this year’s event “Mental Health in an Unequal World”. Mental health conditions can substantially affect all areas of life, such as school or work performance, relationships with friends and family, and the ability to…

Thabo Buthelezi10 Oct 2021

Children's Rights Malawi News Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

News Release: Malawi High Court awards damages for unlawful detention of pregnant learners

On 28 September 2021, the High Court of Malawi, sitting at Mzuzu, in the case of ON and Others v Attorney General awarded damages for false imprisonment against the state in a case where a First Grade Magistrate had imposed fines on learners and their parents for the learners’ pregnancy,…

Staff Writer6 Oct 2021

Botswana News SOGIE Rights

MEDIA ADVISORY: BOTSWANA COURT OF APPEAL SETS HEARING DATE FOR DECRIMINALISATION CASE FOR 12 OCTOBER 2021

On 11 June 2019, a full bench of the Botswana High Court unanimously found that the criminalisation of consensual same-sex sexual activities violates the constitutional rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons to dignity, liberty, privacy and equality. This decision was appealed by the State. The appeal is set…

Staff Writer30 Sep 2021

Articles and Opinions Blog Children's Rights Malawi Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

Malawi’s obligation to enact the Termination of Pregnancy Bill

In February 2021, Malawi was due to debate the Termination of Pregnancy Bill in Parliament. The Bill had finally been tabled after years of advocacy and various forms of resistance. There had been much debate over the Bill and what it represents, characterised by rabid resistance from some mainly religious…

Tambudzai Gonese27 Sep 2021

Blog Democratic Republic of Congo Eswatini Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association

CONCERN AS STATES CONTINUE TO USE TERRORISM LAWS TO INHIBIT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION

As the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) joins the world in commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information, SALC condemns the increased use of 'terrorism' laws to crackdown on freedom of expression and access to information in Africa. Arrests of the media and civil society actors under trumped-up…

Staff Writer27 Sep 2021

International Criminal Justice News South Africa

News Release: Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa dismisses Kouwenhoven’s appeal in two matters

On 22 September 2021, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) handed down two judgments in the matter Kouwenhoven v Minister of Police and Others and Kouwenhoven v Director of Public Prosecutions, Western Cape and Others relating to the extradition proceedings of Augustinus Petrus Maria Kouwenhoven (Kouwenhoven). Kouwenhoven is a Dutch…

Staff Writer22 Sep 2021

Eswatini Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association News

News Release: More delays as Eswatini MPs languish in jail

Mbabane, 22 September 2021 - On 14 September 2021, the High Court of Eswatini delivered judgement on the second bail application of Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube. The Members of Parliament have been in custody since 25 July 2021 and face charges under section 5(1) of the Suppression of…

Staff Writer22 Sep 2021

Articles and Opinions Children's Rights Zimbabwe

Tragic lack of urgency in dealing with child marriages

On 15 August 2021, Tambudzai Gonese-Manjonjo wrote an article for the Standard (Zimbabwe) tackling the lack of urgency in dealing with child marriages. Read the article here .

Staff Writer21 Sep 2021

Disability Rights Health Rights Research Reports & Policy Briefs SADC

An exploratory study of the interaction between the criminal justice system and persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities in Nairobi, Kenya

Access to justice has long seemed elusive for persons with various intellectual or psychosocial disabilities in Kenya. The fear of a child with an intellectual or psychosocial disability growing up and encountering the justice system only never to be heard from again is a frequent topic of discussion amongst caregivers.…

Staff Writer13 Sep 2021

Blog Eswatini Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association Rule of Law

REFUSING BAIL OF MPs REEKS OF POLITICS NOT JUSTICE

On 25 July 2021, Members of Parliament Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube were arrested and charged with the contravention of section 5(1) read with section 2(a)-(d) of the Suppression of Terrorism Act of 2008. The State asserted that the two accused were responsible for the recent unrest after they…

Staff Writer20 Aug 2021

Eswatini Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association News Rule of Law

STATEMENT: SALC CALLS FOR THE RECUSAL OF 2 JUDGES IN ESWATINI TERRORISM CASE

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) is concerned by the travesty of justice and violation of judicial independence that might occur if the terrorism and sedition appeal before the Supreme Court of Eswatini proceeds on 30 August 2021. “The disregard of judicial independence in political matters is often mooted in…

Staff Writer18 Aug 2021

Disability Rights Zambia

MEDIA ADVISORY: DEAF PERSON CHALLENGES DISCRIMINATORY DENIAL OF ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Mr Kasongo Kafwembe, a deaf person filed a case in the High Court against the ZCAS University (1st Respondent) challenging the denial of access to enrolment for a degree in the university. The denial was based on his disability. The petitioner alleges that the denial of access to enrolment for…

Staff Writer17 Aug 2021

Botswana Disability Rights News

Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Botswana

On 12 August 2021, the United Nations office issued a notification (Ref: C.N.216. 2021.TREATIES-IV.15) communicating Botswana’s accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) with effect from 11 August 2021. The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) applauds the Government of Botswana for ratifying CRPD after years…

Staff Writer16 Aug 2021

Criminal Justice Judgments News SADC Sex Worker Rights

NEWS RELEASE: ABUJA HIGH COURT DENOUNCES VIOLATION OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

12 August 2021, Abuja – On 5 August 2021, the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, per Justice Maha, handed down a groundbreaking decision against law enforcement agencies that violated women’s rights. The Applicants were among 71 women who were arrested at various public spaces in Abuja between 17 and…

Anneke Meerkotter12 Aug 2021

Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association News Zambia

Statement calling on the government of Zambia to uphold human rights ahead of the upcoming elections

On 12 August 2021, general elections will be held in Zambia wherein voters will elect a President, 156 members of parliament, and 117 district council leaders. The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) calls upon Zambian authorities and political parties to commit to respecting, protecting, promoting, and ensuring full respect for…

Staff Writer11 Aug 2021

Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association News South Africa

News Release: Constitutional Court confirms that publication by Jon Qwelane constituted hate speech

On 30 July 2021, the Constitutional Court handed down its judgment in the matter of Jonathan Dubula Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission and Another. Central to the Court’s decision was whether the hate speech provision under Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000…

Staff Writer30 Jul 2021

Children's Rights Criminal Justice Malawi News

News Release: Malawi High Court declared detention of children in police custody unlawful

Blantyre, 30 July 2021 – The Malawi High Court today delivered a judgment declaring the lower Court’s detention of children in police custody unlawful. The presiding Judge, Justice Chirwa, stated that the applicants’ detention in Limbe Police Station was unlawful, and the Court ordered their immediate release from custody. The…

Staff Writer30 Jul 2021

Children's Rights Criminal Justice Malawi Ongoing cases Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

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 failure to pay the fine. Examples include, but are not limited to, offences such as being a rogue and vagabond,…

Staff Writer15 Jul 2021

Business and Human Rights Criminal Justice Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association Health Rights Rule of Law Submissions Zimbabwe

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, non-mineral exports, hospitality, trade and transport sectors. Despite Zimbabwe’s Constitution, there is a serious deterioration of the political, economic and…