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Articles and OpinionsBotswanaFocus areasFocus countriesRule of LawSex Worker RightsSexual and Reproductive Health RightsSOGIE Rights

Former president of Botswana leads to “end the epidemic of bad laws”

Barbare Lee; Michel Sidibé; Jan Eliason; Helen Clark; Festus Mogae The 9th of July 2012 has proved to be a momentous day for advocates for the repeal of criminal laws against sex workers and LGBT communities. This is the day on which the Global Commission on HIV and the Law launched…
Staff Writer
21 Jul 2012
Articles and OpinionsBotswanaFocus areasFocus countriesResourcesWomen’s Land and Property Rights

Botswana customary inheritance case: Update from yesterday’s court proceedings

Yesterday, the High Court in Botswana heard final arguments in a case challenging the Ngwaketse customary law rule which permits only for male inheritance of the family home. Previously, the Court had formally requested the Attorney General to make submissions in the matter. Yesterday was scheduled to hear oral submissions from the…
Staff Writer
20 Jul 2012
Articles and OpinionsBotswanaFocus areasFocus countriesResourcesWomen’s Land and Property Rights

Continuation of Botswana customary inheritance case tomorrow in high court

On Thursday, the High Court will hear further arguments in Mmusi and Others v Ramantele and Another, a case challenging the Ngwaketse customary law rule providing only for male inheritance of the family home. As followers of the case will remember, the High Court heard initial arguments in the matter on 14 May 2012. At that…
Staff Writer
18 Jul 2012
Articles and OpinionsFocus countriesInternational Criminal Justice

African Union: Support international justice – letter from African civil society and international organizations

The AU Summit is under way in Ethiopia. After the last minute change of venue, following Malawi’s refusal to host ICC indictee Omar al-Bashir, international justice will certainly be on the agenda. The heads of state will also decide  whether to adopt a protocol that will expand the jurisdiction of…
Staff Writer
11 Jul 2012
Articles and OpinionsFocus areasFocus countriesResourcesSexual and Reproductive Health RightsZimbabwe

Policing sex work in Zimbabwe – An appropriate response?

During the last two weeks of May 2012, police in Harare once again conducted operations to arrest women in bars and night clubs. According to the Harare police, these operations were part of an effort to reduce touts, street children and prostitution in the city. Zimbabwean human rights organisations have expressed dismay…
Staff Writer
29 Jun 2012
Articles and OpinionsFocus areasFocus countriesInternational Criminal JusticeMalawi

AU summit: Malawi stands with Darfur victims – government won’t host summit if Al-Bashir attends

Malawi’s president, Joyce Banda, continues to impress. See the latest press release from African civil society organisations regarding Malawi’s decision not to host the AU Summit. The Summit will now be hosted at the AU Headquarters in Ethiopia, which is not a Rome Statute signatory. (Johannesburg, June 8, 2012) –The Malawi government…
Staff Writer
12 Jun 2012
Focus areasFocus countriesInternational Criminal JusticeMalawi

SALC IN THE NEWS: MALAWI DROPS AU SUMMIT OVER SUDANESE LEADER

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir     (CNN) — Malawi said it won’t host an African Union summit next month because the organization wants Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese leader accused of war crimes in Darfur, to attend. Activists hailed the small and economically struggling southern African nation’s stance, announced by Malawian Vice-President Khumbo…
Staff Writer
12 Jun 2012
Focus areasFocus countriesInternational Criminal JusticeRule of LawZimbabwe

SALC IN THE NEWS: MUGABE’S CALL ON COURT RULING DRAWS CRITICISM

ZIMBABWEAN opposition parties have criticised President Robert Mugabe’s call to the African National Congress (ANC) at the weekend to "apply every means at their disposal" to overrule a North Gauteng High Court decision that Zimbabweans accused of human rights abuses are eligible for prosecution in SA. The Movement for Democratic…
Staff Writer
11 Jun 2012
Articles and OpinionsFocus areasFocus countriesInternational Criminal JusticeSouth AfricaZimbabwe

Investigations must go ahead – SA high court dismisses appeal application in Zim torture case

Today the North Gauteng High Court dismissed an application for leave to appeal against the judgment delivered in Southern African Litigation Centre and Another v National Director of Public Prosecutions and Others by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) South African police (SAPS). You’ll remember that last month the High Court ruled…
Staff Writer
7 Jun 2012