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Research Reports & Policy Briefs

Strategic litigation and legal advocacy often requires in-depth research to establish the extent of human rights infringements and the most appropriate remedies for such infringements. SALC has produced as number of research reports and policy briefs which guide its litigation and advocacy work.

Health RightsMalawiResearch Reports & Policy BriefsResources

Linking Climate, Gender and HIV Justice: A Preliminary Report on Access to HIV Treatment and Care for People Living on Lake Chilwa Islands, Malawi

This is a preliminary report on barriers to access to HIV treatment and care experienced by communities living in and around the Lake Chilwa area in Malawi. A fact-finding mission was undertaken in August 2018 by the Coalition of Woman Living with HIV/AIDS in Malawi (COWLHA) and the Gender and…
Annabel Raw
3 Jun 2019
Children's RightsEswatiniFreedom of Expression, Assembly and AssociationResearch Reports & Policy BriefsResourcesRule of Law

SALC Research Report: Alignment of Eswatini’s Domestic Laws with Recommendations of United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms

It is more than seventy years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted yet the struggle to achieve full realisation of human rights remains a pressing reality. One of the challenges hampering the enjoyment of human rights is the degree to which State parties to key human…
Staff Writer
11 Mar 2019
Freedom of Expression, Assembly and AssociationResearch Reports & Policy BriefsSADCSeminars and Conferences

Publication: Reflecting on the Closing of Civic Spaces in Southern Africa

Reflecting on the Closing of Civic Spaces and its Impact on Marginalised Groups in Southern Africa 2018 marks the 20th anniversary since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the landmark Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human…
Anneke Meerkotter
13 Nov 2018
BotswanaResearch Reports & Policy BriefsSOGIE Rights

Research Report: The impact of laws criminalising same-sex relationships in Botswana

In commemoration of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (17 May), Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO), the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC), the UNDP and Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa is launching a booklet entitled: "The law needs to change, we want to be free" - The…
Anneke Meerkotter
18 May 2018
AngolaBotswanaDemocratic Republic of CongoEswatiniFreedom of Expression, Assembly and AssociationInternational Criminal JusticeLesothoMalawiMozambiqueNamibiaRefugee and Migrant RightsResearch Reports & Policy BriefsSOGIE RightsSouth AfricaTanzaniaZambiaZimbabwe

Protection Frameworks for Refugees and Migrants in Southern Africa

States guarantee basic human rights and ensure physical security for their citizens. However, when people become refugees these protections disappear. Refugees fleeing war or persecution become incredibly vulnerable. They lose the protection of their own state and often it is their own government that is persecuting them. If third countries…
Staff Writer
28 Feb 2018
Focus areasFocus countriesMalawiResearch Reports & Policy BriefsRule of LawSeminars and ConferencesSex Worker Rights

SIDE EVENT ON THE MARGINS OF THE 61ST ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ACHPR

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Commission) has recognised that the declassification and decriminalisation of petty offences is an important human rights issue. A Side Event on the Margins of the 61ST Ordinary Session of the ACHPR has been scheduled as follows: DATE: 2 November 2017 TIME: 13h15…
Staff Writer
31 Oct 2017
Children's RightsDisability RightsMalawiResearch Reports & Policy BriefsResourcesSexual and Reproductive Health Rights

SALC Research Report: Prosecuting sexual violence against women and girls with disabilities in Malawi

This report was prompted by Malawian civil society organisations’ perception that there is a lack of will on the part of police and prosecution to investigate and prosecute cases related to sexual violence committed against women and girls living with disabilities. The researchers interviewed civil society organisations, police and prosecutors…
Staff Writer
31 Jul 2017
Children's RightsFocus areasFocus countriesMalawiResearch Reports & Policy BriefsResourcesSexual and Reproductive Health Rights

SALC Research Report: Towards a human rights-based approach to learner pregnancy management in Malawi

The Malawi government's Revised Readmission Procedures to deal with learner pregnancy was launched in 2006. Ten years later, SALC and the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) conducted research into the manner in which the policy is applied in practice. This research report critically assesses the current policy provisions and their…
Staff Writer
31 Jul 2017
BotswanaDisability RightsFocus areasFocus countriesHealth RightsMalawiResearch Reports & Policy BriefsResourcesSex Worker RightsSexual and Reproductive Health RightsSOGIE RightsZambia

SALC Policy brief: Access to justice for healthcare violations

In 2016 SALC launched a research report on the extent to which key populations are subjected to discrimination in the healthcare system and their ability to access redress from complaints mechanisms. The research focused on Botswana, Malawi and Zambia. Subsequently, SALC convened meetings with civil society organisations and complaints bodies…
Staff Writer
24 Jul 2017
Research Reports & Policy BriefsSex Worker RightsSexual and Reproductive Health RightsSOGIE RightsTanzania

ACCOUNTABILITY AND REDRESS FOR DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTHCARE IN BOTSWANA, MALAWI AND ZAMBIA

ANHPG3 Kamazu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi. Image shot 2006. Exact date unknown. Southern Africa bears a disproportionate burden of HIV globally and indications are that stigma and discrimination remain high, not only amongst people living with HIV but also amongst those most vulnerable to HIV. Stigma and discrimination violate human rights and…
Annabel Raw
28 Sep 2016