On-going cases

Children's Rights Criminal Justice Malawi Ongoing cases Rule of Law

MALAWI: ENDING IMPUNITY OF POLICE OFFICERS – CASE CONCERNING ABDUCTION AND RAPE OF GIRL CHILD

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 protection and maintenance of public safety and the rights of persons in Malawi according to the prescription of human rights…

Luntha Chimbwete18 May 2022

Criminal Justice Health Rights Malawi Ongoing cases Rule of Law

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 conditions consistent with human dignity, which shall include at least the provision of…adequate nutrition…”. The UN Standard Minimum Rules for…

Luntha Chimbwete13 May 2022

Business and Human Rights Children's Rights International Criminal Justice Ongoing cases South Africa Zambia

Human rights groups intervene in historic class action for lead poisoning launched by Zambian children and women

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 of children and women against the mining giant Anglo American in South Africa and seeks compensation for the long-term impacts…

Staff Writer10 May 2022

International Criminal Justice Ongoing cases Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

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. Ongwen) was convicted of crimes against humanity and war crimes by Trial Chamber IX of the ICC on 4 February…

Staff Writer14 Feb 2022

Namibia Ongoing cases SOGIE Rights

Namibia: Challenging refusal to allow same-sex partner to live and work in Namibia

Background On 20 January 2022, the High Court of Namibia gave judgement in the consolidated cases of Digashu v Government of the Republic of Namibia and Seiler-Lilles v Government of the Republic of Namibia. In both instances, the spouses of the Namibia citizens were denied immigration status on the basis…

Thabo Buthelezi25 Jan 2022

Business and Human Rights Ongoing cases Women’s Land and Property Rights Zambia

Zambia: Challenging illegal deforestation and encroachment of the Kasanka National Park and the Kafinda Game Management Area

On 19 October 2021, the Mapepala and Nabowa Community Forest Management Groups (CFMG), together with Kasanka Trust Limited, commenced an action in the Lusaka High Court challenging large-commercial agriculture and related activities within the protected Kafinda Game Management Area (KGMA) and the Mapepala and Nabowa Community Forest (MNCF). The said activities…

Staff Writer20 Oct 2021

Health Rights Lesotho Ongoing cases

Africa: Challenging laws criminalising persons living with HIV

Kenya: SALC is supporting an amicus submission by the HIV Justice Worldwide (HIVJWW)in a petition by 6 persons living with HIV and KELIN challenging section 26 of the Sexual Offences Act No.6 of 2006 of Kenya in the case of EM and 6 Others v the Attorney General and Others.…

Staff Writer1 Mar 2021

Disability Rights Ongoing cases Zambia

Zambia: Challenging denial of driving licences to deaf persons

SALC is supporting a petition by 3 deaf persons and the Zambia Deaf Youth and Women (ZDYW) to challenge denial of driving licences in the case of Musukwa and Others v Road Transport and Safety Agency. The petitioners argue that Respondent’s application of section 62 of the Road traffic act…

Staff Writer26 Feb 2021

Disability Rights Health Rights Ongoing cases Zambia

Zambia: Challenging denial of legal capacity for persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities

SALC is supporting a petition by a person with psychosocial disabilities and the Disability Rights Watch (DRW) to repeal Section 4 of the Mental Health Act of 2019 in Katontoka and Another v the Attorney General. The Petitioners argue that the provision unconstitutionally infringes on the rights to dignity, liberty, freedom of…

Staff Writer26 Feb 2021

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

MALAWI: CHALLENGING CRIMINALISATION OF ADOLESCENT SEXUALITY

SALC is working with Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) – Malawi in a challenge to the law of defilement in s138 of the Penal Code, insofar as it criminalises consensual sex between adolescents in Malawi. It is illegal to have sex with a girl under the age of 16 in Malawi, and there are no exceptions…

Staff Writer3 Jul 2020