Malawi: Challenging constitutionality of offence which criminalises poverty...
Factual Background One of the enduring legacies of colonialism in Africa is the police practice of arbitrary mass arrests. These so-called ‘sweeping’ or ‘swooping’ exercises are typically conducted by police over weekends and at night. Such sweeping exercises tend to…
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Protecting right to freedom of expression for Woman Human Rights Defenders...
SALC is supporting the Women Lawyers Association (WLA) of Malawi to challenge the arbitrary arrest and detention of a Woman Human Rights Defender(WHRD) on a charge of "Insulting the Modesty of a Woman" in contravention of section 137(3) of the…
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Malawi: Advancing human rights in mental health...
SALC is working with the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) to support the case of an individual subjected to forced psychiatric treatment on the basis of a forensic detention order. The applicant argues that human rights…
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Malawi: Seeking an effective and humane response to MDR-TB in prisons...
Case Citation: Banda & Others v the Attorney General & Others (Constitutional Case No 120 of 2018), Zomba District Registry; Makwiza & Another v the Attorney General & Others (Civil Cause No 75 of 2019), Zomba District Registry SALC is…
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Malawi: Enforcing Prisoners’ Right to Adequate Nutrition...
SALC is working with the Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) in Malawi to support a case brought by a prisoner, Mr James Gremu, and CHREAA on behalf of all inmates in which the persistent failure of…
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Botswana: Access to Information Request...
In 2017, the Botswana Gazette requested information from the Water Utilities Corporation relating to a report which had been commissioned on the blocking of the flow of water from the Gaborone Dam. On 22 June 2017, the applicant filed an…
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Eswatini: Right to freedom of assembly...
Factual Background The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) organized a country wide protest that was to occur on 17, 18, and 19 September 2018. It was to be held in four locations: Mbabane, Manzini, Nhlangano and Siteki. On 10…
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ZIMBABWE: CHALLENGING LIMITS ON VOTER EDUCATION...
Veritas v. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission & 2 Others SALC is providing support to Veritas, a non-profit organisation based in Zimbabwe which provides publicly accessible information on the work of the Parliament of Zimbabwe and the laws of Zimbabwe. In this…
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Botswana: Supporting amicus curiae in challenge to publication offence...
The case of Attorney General v Tsodilo Services (Pty) Ltd t/a The Sunday Standard and Outsa Mokone (Media Institute of Southern Africa-Botswana as amicus curiae), is currently pending before the Lobatse High Court in Botswana. The case concerns the constitutionality of…
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Eswatini (Swaziland): Challenging laws allowing child marriage...
In February 2017,SALC supported WLSA in Eswatini to file a case challenging laws that allow child marriage. The challenge is to sections of the Marriage Act and customary law that allow a girl who is under 18 years to contract…
Read More Malawi: Challenging the offence of begging...
Factual Background Thirteen individuals were arrested and charged under section 180(b) of the Penal Code at different places in Blantyre. They appeared together before the magistrate on 12 April 2017 and were at that stage informed that the charge included…
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ZAMBIA: PREVENTING THE DISPLACEMENT OF RURAL WOMEN FROM THEIR CUSTOMARY LAND...
SALC is assisting the Munte Community of Senior Chief Muchinda (the Community) with retaining the land they have occupied and farmed for generations. The Community is challenging the allocation by the local land authority to commercial farmers without consultation or…
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