International Criminal Justice
SALC’s International Criminal Justice programme has the following objectives:
- To raise regional awareness about the domestication of the ICC Convention and to promote accountability for crimes against humanity at domestic levels through strategic litigation.
- To improve understanding of the ICC and its mandate whilst supporting domestic and regional accountability mechanisms.
- To litigate at domestic levels to establish jurisprudence on universal jurisdiction.
- To litigate at domestic levels against corporate complicity in violations of international law and human rights.
On-going cases:
South Africa: Ahmed Timol case (Rodrigues v NDPP and Others)
South Africa: Facilitate the prosecution of persons accused of crimes committed during Apartheid (Simelane)
Joao Rodrigues v National Director of Public Prosecutions & Others (Timol Case)
Revocation of visa to a convicted Dutch War Criminal: Augustinus Maria Kouwenhoven
Precedent cases:
South Africa: The State vs Henri Emomitimi Okah
South Africa: Amicus curiae in Law Society of South Africa case challenging SA’s signing of new SADC Tribunal protocol
South Africa/Zimbabwe: Case challenging NPA’s refusal to investigate cases of torture committed in Zimbabwe
South Africa/Rwanda: Judicial review of decision by South Africa to grant refugee status to former Rwanda general accused of war crimes
South Africa/Sudan: Case challenging the State’s failure to implement the ICC arrest warrant for Sudanese President Al Bashir
South Africa/Sudan: Amicus curiae in ICC cooperation hearing on South Africa’s failure to arrest Sudanese President Al Bashir
South Africa: Case challenging South Africa’s withdrawal from the ICC without parliamentary approval
South Africa/Jordan: Application as amicus curiae in respect of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s failure to cooperate with the ICC to arrest President Al Bashir

SALC Policy Brief on ICC Witnesses and the Review of the Rome Statute: The Missi...
The Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court resolved in December 2019 to…
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João Rodrigues, apartheid-era crimes and the question of a blanket amnesty...
Mail and Guardian 6 November 2020 By Atilla Kisla Today, on 6 November 2020, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) hears the…
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PRESS RELEASE: SOUTH AFRICA’S DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS DECLARES KOUWENHOVEN ...
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SOUTHERN AFRICA LITIGATION CENTRE AND LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SOUTH AFRICA’S DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS DECLARES…
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MEDIA ADVISORY: JOAO RODRIGUES V NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS...
On 6 November 2020, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) will hear the case of Joao Rodrigues v National Director…
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SALC CONDEMNS THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS ON STAFF ...
The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) expresses its disappointment and strongly condemns the imposition of sanctions by the United States…
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Good news as South Africa affirms its commitment to accountability for internati...
The Daily Maverick 26 June 2020 Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh On 11 June, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to…
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Torture in Zimbabwe...
The Mail and Guardian 23 May 2020 By Atilla Kisla Six years after the Torture Docket case – What is…
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SALC Board member pens open letter to Zimbabwean President Mnangagwa seeking acc...
Nehanda Radio 19 May 2020 By Beatrice Mtetwa Sir, I address you, not because you personally abducted, tortured and sexually…
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