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This year commemorates the 31st anniversary of the establishment of democratic governance in South Africa which is ‘based on the will of the people’. South Africa exemplifies a democracy distinguished by a progressive constitution. Since then, it has made major strides in fostering a unified and inclusive nation, while safeguarding democratic values such as equality, respect for human rights, and a government that prioritizes the interests of its people. In the May 2024 general elections, no party achieved a majority for the first time. Consequently, in June 2024, a Government of National Unity (GNU) was established marking a collaborative effort aimed at promoting accountability, transparency, and public participation in governance. Thus far, the GNU has performed admirably, with the exception of the recent stalemate regarding the budget. According to the Commission for Human Rights (2002) some of the essential components of democracy include free and fair elections, a commitment to human rights, and adherence to the rule of law, the separation of powers, a diverse political party system, judicial independence, and a free and independent media. As articulated by former President Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inauguration speech: “We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination”.
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On this 15th day of May 2025, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (the Centre) joins the international community in commemorating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). This international initiative aims to raise awareness about digital access and inclusion, particularly for the more than 1.3 billion persons with disabilities (PWDs) worldwide. GAAD began in 2011 as a blog post by Joe Devon, urging developers to consider digital accessibility. Since then, it has evolved into a global movement, observed across industries, sectors, and regions. Today, GAAD continues to spotlight the often invisible barriers that hinder full and equal participation in the digital world, advocating for a future where technology is truly inclusive for all. The Centre for Human Rights stands in solidarity with this movement, advocating for a digital future that is inclusive, accessible, and equitable for all.
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The Centre for Human Rights (the Centre) hosted a two-day training workshop to strengthen the capacity of persons with albinism and their representative organisations on how to engage with the Equality Courts in South Africa. Held from 6 – 7 May 2025, the workshop sought to provide information on how persons with albinism can seek redress for unfair discrimination, harassment, and hate speech through the Equality Courts in South Africa.
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On 6 and 7 May the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria proudly co-hosted the Equality Court Clerk Workshop with the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College (‘the College’) in Pretoria.
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The SOGIESC Clinic at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria cordially invites you to International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), cordially invites you to apply for its Capacity Building Workshop on Strategic Litigation and Advocacy for human rights defenders working on the promotion and protection of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and other non-binary and gender-nonconforming persons in Africa.
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On 23 and 24 April 2025, the Centre for Human Rights (CHR), Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria in collaboration with PANOS, convened a stakeholder engagement on elections and information ecosystem with a particular focus on the upcoming elections in Malawi and Zambia. The event was convened in Lusaka, Zambia, in anticipation of the national elections scheduled for 2025 in Malawi and 2026 in Zambia.
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Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, which was commemorated on 3 May 2025, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria joined the global community in reaffirming the importance of press freedom as a pillar of democratic societies and a safeguard for the protection of human rights.
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The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is inviting comments on its Draft Study on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Other New and Emerging Technologies in Africa.
The study was initiated following the adoption of Resolution 473 during the Commission’s 31st Extraordinary Session in 2021, which, recognising both the opportunities and risks posed by technologies such as AI and robotics, mandates the conduct of a comprehensive study on their impact on human and peoples’ rights as protected under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant human rights instruments.
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BACKGROUND
Privacy and data protection have become increasingly critical in the digital era as states worldwide accelerate digital transformation. The rapid adoption of digital technologies, the expansion of e-governance, and the digitisation of services have led to an unprecedented collection, processing, and storage of personal data. While these developments offer immense opportunities, they also pose significant concerns regarding data security, privacy breaches, and the protection of individuals from intrusive surveillance and misuse of personal information by both state and nonstate actors.
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Introduction
The upcoming general elections in the Republic of Malawi, scheduled for September 2025, have garnered significant interest among stakeholders in the region. These elections signify a pivotal moment in the nation’s democratic journey. In the lead-up to the polls, citizens of Malawi have raised concerns about misgovernance, corruption, and the current administration's failure to address escalating economic challenges which has resulted in extreme poverty levels in the country. These issues are considered critical and defining to the outcome of the upcoming elections. This paper is a product of our interviews and stakeholder engagement with citizens and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Malawi. Below are key issues about the political context, legal framework, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), voter registration, political parties, campaign finances, the role of media, and civil society that African citizens should know as they pay close attention to Malawi’s 2025 elections.
The Centre for Human Rights Participates in the 45th Session of the ACERWC in the Kingdom of Lesotho
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (the Centre), participated in the 45th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), held in Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho. In its statement before the ACERWC, the Centre expressed concern over ongoing conflicts in Eastern DRC and Sudan, urging the ACERWC to reframe them as children’s rights emergencies.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, at the University of Pretoria and the Pretoria University Law Press (PULP) cordially invite you to the virtual launch of Female Genital Mutilation in Africa: Politics of Criminalisation, which examines the complex politics surrounding the criminalization of FGM in Africa. It explores the motivations behind criminalization efforts, the challenges of implementation, and the socio-cultural factors that influence the effectiveness of legal frameworks. The book is edited by Satang Nabaneh.
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On 23 and 24 April 2025, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (the Centre), in collaboration with the Department of Women, Youths and Persons with Disabilities, South Africa (DWYPD) hosted a two-day Workshop on the monitoring of the implementation of the rights of women as under international treaties. The Workshop was the culmination of a project to strengthen South Africa’s compliance with obligations under the CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol. To this end, the Workshop sought to promote an understanding of the roles that government officials and civil society organisations (CSO’s) play in the state reporting process, and to contribute to a less sporadic and more coordinated implementation of the treaty recommendations, through the development of the Tool.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (Centre), expresses its disappointment that the visit by Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, on 24 April 2025 to South Africa had to be cut short due to an attack on the Ukrainian capital city killing at least 9 nine civilians.
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Thirty-one years of Democratic Rule; Whither South Africa?
This year marks the 31st Anniversary of democratic rule in South Africa. Thus, South Africa is a relatively young democracy with a progressive constitution. Democracy is often referred to as a way of governing, which depends on the power or will of the people. The former President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as ‘the government of the people by the people and for the people’. It is premised on the basis that peoples’ will should always be considered before decisions are made. According to the Commission for Human Rights (2002), the predecessor of the Human Rights Council, some of the essential elements of democracy include free and fair elections, respect for human rights, respect for rule of law, a pluralistic system of political parties and organizations, separation of powers, independence of the judiciary, transparency and accountability in public administration, free, independent and pluralistic media.
Date: 28 April 2025
Time: 12 pm-1.30pm
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As part of the 34 th Christof Heyns African Moot Court Competition, the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria and the Faculty Law at the University of Cape Town will on Monday 30June 2025 co-host a one-day international conference on a theme specified below.The working languages of the conference are English, French and Portuguese, with simultaneous interpretation available.
Call for Conference Papers
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria wishes to inform its partners and stakeholders that Prof Ebenezer Durojaye has been appointed as Acting Director from 1 April to 31 August 2025, pending recruitment of a substantive director. This appointment follows the end of the contract for Professor Nkatha Murungi who served as Acting Director with distinction from September 2023 to February 2025.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, strongly condemns the targeted attacks on civilians in IDP camps in North Darfur State, Sudan, by RSF forces, which have resulted in over 400 deaths and the displacement of thousands in the past three days. Beginning Thursday with coordinated ground and aerial assaults that continued unabated through Saturday, these operations have systematically destroyed homes, markets, and critical healthcare infrastructure in camps that were established as safe havens.
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Date: 15 April 2025
Issued by: Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria
The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria expresses deep concern over the escalating threats to democracy, political participation, and electoral integrity in Tanzania. The arrest of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, alongside the disqualification of the CHADEMA party from the 2025 general elections signals a disturbing regression in political freedoms and democratic governance.
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As of August 2023, with a total of 220, the African continent is regarded as the region that has experienced the highest number of military coups, hereafter, referred to as coups.[1] In fact, The Economist speculates that the continent will continue to witness an increase in the number of coups.[2] Since 2020, two specific regions of Africa that are almost considered as the ‘epicentre’ of coups are the Sahel and West regions. Exacerbated by corruption, authoritarian rule, entrenched social injustices, and fragile economies, the situation in some states has compelled the military to overthrow presidents and seize power. This has been the case in Guinea, Mali and Gabon where presidents have clung to power for too long, stifling the progress of democratic governance. However, a troubling pattern emerged in the aftermath of coups, as military leaders are often reluctant to relinquish power and organise democratic elections that would allow citizens to choose their representatives.
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By Belinda Matore, project officer in the Expression, Information and Digital Rights Unit at the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Human Rights.
Advocacy has found a powerful ally in social media. Platforms like TikTok, X and Facebook have transformed local injustices into national conversations, often within hours. Yet as the line between activism and exploitation grows increasingly blurred, we must ask: at what cost does awareness come? The tragic case of Cwecwe, a seven-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted at Bergview College in the Eastern Cape, serves as a stark reminder of how digital activism can devolve into digital exploitation.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, in collaboration with the International Commission of Jurists, cordially invites you to an engagement with UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Satterthwaite on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers
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On Friday 28 March, the Centre for Human Rights at the Law Faculty, University of Pretoria (the Centre), held its Opening Ceremony to welcome the new doctoral researchers and new master’s students from the following four Centre academic programmes:
- Human Rights and Democratization in Africa (HRDA)
- Trade and Investment Law in Africa (TILA), which alternates each year between the Centre and the University of the Western Cape, and is this year being held at the Centre
- Multidisciplinary Human Rights (MDHR); and
- Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa (SRRA)
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (the Centre), welcomes the adoption of the Resolution on Working Towards the Assessment of Public Interest Content in this Digital Era and Developing Guidelines to Ensure a Public Interest Element for All Platforms Operating in Africa – ACHPR/Res.631 (LXXXII) 2025 and the Resolution on Developing Guidelines to Assist States Monitor Technology Companies in Respect of Their Duty to Maintain Information Integrity Through Independent Fact-Checking – ACHPR/Res.630 (LXXXII) 2025 by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) during its 82nd Ordinary Session.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (Centre), proudly observed Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) 2025 on 31 March with a commemorative event. The event focused on unpacking the University of Pretoria Trans Protocol in conversation with the socio-political discourse on trans rights and identities in broader society and within university spaces. Held at the Akanyang building—an inclusive learning space with gender-neutral ablution facilities—the event brought together staff, students, activists, and key partners involved in campus transformation and inclusion. The day was defined by discussions, knowledge-sharing, and reflections on the realities faced by trans and gender-diverse individuals in South African universities and society.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria cordially invites you to a twin side event on the rights of intersex children and the launch of the book, The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child: A Commentary.
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In A Few Good Men, Kissi Agyebeng, Ghana’s Special Prosecutor, delves into the challenges and responsibilities of fighting corruption within the nation’s governance structures. He outlines the legal framework, ethical considerations, and institutional obstacles that shape the work of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
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On 25 March 2024, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, in collaboration with Access Now, hosted a webinar on the impact of internet shutdowns on human rights in conflict-affected countries in Africa. The webinar explored how internet shutdowns exacerbate the impact of conflicts by preventing access to critical information, restricting humanitarian aid, concealing human rights violations, and depriving affected populations of essential services.
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From 17 to 21 March 2025, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria hosted the Advanced Short Course on Disability Rights in an African context (short course). The short course was presented in hybrid format, with some participants attending in person at the University of Pretoria and others joining virtually via zoom. Participants at the short course were from various African countries including Zambia, Zimbabwe, The Gambia, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Lesotho, Madagascar, Eswatini, Botswana, Cameroon, Rwanda, Liberia, Togo, and Ireland. They were drawn from a number of sectors including academia, national human rights institutions, civil society organisations and government.
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Dr Sindiso N. Nkomo and Dr Lydia T. Chibwe
March 21st was declared by the Democratic Government of South Africa as Human Rights Day. The annual commemoration of this day provides an opportunity for taking stock on the progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. To commemorate this day this year, we believe it is important to focus on the progress made by Government in protecting the sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) and rights of marginalised groups such as rural women.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (CHR) invites applicants for a Publications Coordinator and Doctoral Candidate (one position), for an initial one-year contract period, renewable for a total of three year depending on satisfactory performance and available funding. The salary/scholarship will cover tuition, accommodation and related expenses. The selected applicant must be able to start as soon as possible.
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By: Belinda Matore
Historical Significance of 21 March
Every year on 21 March, South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day, a day that serves as both a tribute to the struggles of the past and a reminder of the ongoing quest for equality, justice, and dignity for all. This date is deeply rooted in the history of the Republic of South Africa, marking the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 which was a pivotal moment in South Africa’s fight against apartheid.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria is deeply concerned about the recent decision of the Government of the Republic of Tunisia to withdraw its declaration made under article 34(6) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights allowing individuals and NGOs to take cases directly to the African Court.
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The Centre for Human Rights cordially invites you to join an insightful and empowering day of discussion, advocacy, and learning as we commemorate Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) and reflect on the University of Pretoria’s Trans Protocol along with the research and advocacy taking place both on and off campus.
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A Conference devoted to the African Union (AU) theme of “Advancing Justice through Reparations: Reparations, Restoration, and Renaissance” will be held on 2 and 3 June 2025, in Pretoria, South Africa. Papers presented at this Conference will be published in the 2025 African Human Rights Yearbook. The Yearbook is a collaboration between the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The Yearbook is published annually
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Introduction
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are fundamental to human dignity and essential for achieving gender equality, social justice, and sustainable development. These rights, which encompass access to services related to reproductive health, family planning, maternal health, sexual education, and the right to make informed choices about one’s own body, are critical for the well-being of individuals, particularly women and marginalised groups. In Africa, despite the progressive provisions of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, on the Rights of Women (Maputo Protocol), SRHR remains a challenging terrain, as various socio-political, economic, and cultural barriers continue to impede the realisation of these rights.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, in collaboration with Access Now, invites you to a webinar on internet shutdowns and their impact on human rights in conflict-affected countries in Africa. The webinar will focus on how internet shutdowns exacerbate the impact of conflicts by preventing people from accessing critical information on conflict trends, restricting humanitarian access, concealing accountability for human rights violations, and depriving affected populations of essential information.
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Invitation to all doctoral candidates
Students who have completed their doctoral studies in law at an African University in 2024 are encouraged to submit their doctoral theses for consideration for the Christof Heyns Memorial Thesis Award, which is awarded on an annual basis. The winning thesis will be published in book form by the Pretoria University Law Press (PULP).
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, cordially invites you to a documentary screening showcasing the mechanism of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa.
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As we commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 on March 8th, the theme #AccelerateAction calls us to step forward with urgency and solidarity to tackle the systemic barriers that continue to hinder gender equality, especially in the digital age. In many parts of the world, the digital divide disproportionately affects women, limiting their access to opportunities and preventing them from fully participating in the digital economy. In Africa, these challenges are even more pronounced, with deeply entrenched inequalities in access, literacy, safety, and opportunity. This year, as we observe IWD 2025, it is important to not only reflect on the progress made but also intensify efforts to overcome the persistent barriers preventing women from fully benefiting from the digital world.
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Belinda Matore & Tendai Mbanje
Ethical considerations must be considered when sharing graphic content online. While documenting and exposing human rights violations is essential, responsible reporting is necessary to ensure that the dignity of victims is preserved.
Social media has emerged as a powerful tool for exposing human rights violations, amplifying voices that often go unheard. Incidents of extreme violence, abuse, and inhumane treatment are usually brought to public attention through widely circulated videos, forcing authorities and society to confront these issues. However, the widespread sharing of such content raises an important debate: Does the exposure of graphic violence drive accountability, or does it contribute to desensitisation and the trivialisation of human suffering?
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, hosted the 2025 edition of the annual Advanced Human Rights Short Course on Sexual and Gender Minority Rights in Africa.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 03, 2025
The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (Centre for Human Rights) calls on the Zimbabwean government to respect and abide by its human rights obligations under the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international human rights instruments. Journalists should be allowed to do their work without interference. The recent reports on arrests and interference in the work of journalists will have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and access to information. The use of the judiciary to silence journalists, activists, and government critics, if left unchecked, will cement the culture of impunity and entrench arbitrary arrests and prosecution of people with dissenting voices.
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On 28 February 2025, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, in collaboration with the Gender Equity Unit at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), hosted a training session on accessing Equality Courts in South Africa. The training comes during the week of Cape Town Pride, and less than 2 weeks after the murder of Imam Muhsin Hendricks, a prominent LGBTIQ+ activist who advocated for the rights of LGBTIQ+ Muslims and pioneered safe religious spaces within the Islamic community.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria cordially invites you to the opening of its academic programmes. On this occasion, students in the Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (HRDA), Multidisciplinary Human Rights (MDHR), Trade and Investment Law in Africa (TILA) and Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa (SRRA) master’s programmes, and new doctoral researchers will be individually introduced.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria in collaboration with the Open Society Foundations (OSF) cordially invites you to a Public Lecture on the Future of Human Rights. The public lecture will be delivered by Binaifer Nowrojee, President of OSF, one of the world’s largest funders of groups working for justice, equity and human rights.The lecture will be followed by a panel discussion bringing together diverse actors to discuss the future of human rights in South Africa and globally.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria adds its voice to the outpouring of mourning following the news of the death of Imam Muhsin Hendricks. Imam Hendricks was a stalwart in the LGBTIQ+ Muslim community in South Africa and paved the way for the recognition and inclusion of LGBTIQ+ persons in the Muslim community globally.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2025
The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria condemns the recent violations of human rights, particularly with regard to the right to dignity, privacy and bodily integrity, that occurred at Zanzou Night Club in Pretoria. Reports have surfaced detailing incidents of violence, harassment, and abuse directed toward patrons, which are alarming and unacceptable in any society that values human rights and the rule of law.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria expresses profound concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The recent surge in violence has resulted in significant loss of life, mass displacement, and grave human rights violations.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria stands in solidarity with the global community in observance of World Radio Day on 13 February 2025. This year’s theme, “Radio and Climate Change,” underscores the critical role that radio plays in disseminating essential information about climate change, one of the most pressing global challenges of our time.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, welcomes the Wednesday 12 February 2025 public hearing by the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, of the first inter-state case filed before it in Application 007/2023, Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Republic of Rwanda.
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Objective of the reader
The Centre for Human Rights is seeking a wide range of multidisciplinary submissions for the compilation of a reader on the best interest of the African queer child and surviving conversion therapy in Africa. The central objective of the proposed reader is to advocate for the eradication of conversion therapy targeted at African queer children guided by the rationality of the best interests’ principle, a child’s evolving capacity and a child’s age. In analysing legislation and case law, cultural, religious and societal understanding of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation and sexual characteristics the book further aims to clarify the complex issues of childhood conversion therapy, spotlight their different approaches to childhood conversion therapy and to suggest the statutory recognition of the rights of a queer child in domestic African law.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria is pleased to announce a groundbreaking judgment issued by the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights today (5 February 2025), in Application No. 019 of 2018 Centre for Human Rights (CHR), Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) and Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) v. United Republic of Tanzania.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, invites you to a memorial service in honour of Professor Charles Ngwena.
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The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) has issued an e-Note confirming that pharmacists may not refuse to dispense abortifacients (a drug that induces abortion) due to personal beliefs or moral reasons. This e-Note comes after 13 NGOs and legal centres addressed an open letter to the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) and the National Department of Health. The letter highlighted alarming reports of pharmacists refusing to dispense abortifacients despite patients having valid prescriptions. A vast majority of these pharmacists cited moral or religious grounds as the reason for their refusal to dispense. A staggering 40% of surveyed pharmacies were implicated in these refusals, undermining constitutional rights to reproductive autonomy and access to healthcare.
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The Centre for Human Rights is saddened to announce the death of our own, Professor Charles Ngwena. Prof. Ngwena passed away in Pretoria on the 31st of January 2025.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria cordially invites alumni of the various academic programmes, training and special projects, friends, former colleagues, the human rights communities and sympathisers to a webinar honouring and celebrating the life and achievements of the Late Prof Michelo Hansugule.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, joins the global community in commemorating Data Privacy Day, observed annually on January 28. This day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of data privacy, empower individuals and institutions, and promote proactive measures to protect personal information.
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The SINO Africa Legal Forum 2025 invites submissions exploring the critical relationship between the rule of law and the development of the digital economy. As digital technologies reshape economies, robust legal frameworks are essential to ensure fairness, innovation, and protection of fundamental rights.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, calls for the immediate release of Ugandan lawyer Eron Kiiza, who was condemned to a nine month jail sentence summarily passed by Uganda’s military court martial.
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We are honored by your interest in our work. This report provides a detailed account of theWe are honored by your interest in our work. This report provides a detailed account of thekey activities that we undertook in the course of 2023. This report demonstrates our continuedcommitment to the advancement of human rights protection especially in the African context.We continued to pursue our mission through excellence in academic teaching and learning,research and publication, and advocacy to advance the promotion and protection of humanrights. The need for these interventions is immense, especially in the African context where thecapacities of key human rights actors to pursue implementation and accountability for humanrights protection is greatly constrained. Against a background of the shrinking resource basketand competing needs, the contribution of the Centre to the advancement of human rights anddemocracy remains an invaluable investment.
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By Tendai Mbanje and Ludo Sekga
Botswana, often lauded for its stability and peace in the heart of Southern Africa, faces a troubling challenge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The nation's police service reported alarming statistics of 60 rape cases, 19 murders, and 13 defilements in the festive period between the 19th of December and the 2nd of January 2025. The rise of GBV and its patterns requires urgent attention and has prompted calls for action from numerous actors, particularly the government. With less than three months as the nation’s President, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko steps into a pivotal role at a critical time. With his glowing record of human rights protection and advocacy, many wonder if he will take decisive actions to address this deep-seated social epidemic in the country.
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Dear friends and partners,
Compliments of the New Year!!
The Centre for Human Rights is excited to welcome you to yet another year, full of promise and anticipation. We are eager to welcome new students, partners and to strengthen existing partnerships and relationships towards the advancement of human rights and democratic governance in our region and beyond.
Our home, the African continent, continues to experience significant challenges in the protection of human rights, and good governance. The continent continues to be characterized by conflict, inequality, social economic deprivation, and various forms of intolerance. The ongoing post-election conflict in our backyard of Mozambique provided a particularly dark backdrop for the recent holidays festivities. These realities can often feel daunting, and make our mission of contributing to human rights and democracy even more urgent.
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On 6 December 2024, the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), hosted a regional roundtable to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention). Held at The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria, this hybrid event brought together 80 participants including government representatives (DRC, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zimbabwe), diplomatic missions, civil society organisations, academics, and international organizations to discuss the pressing challenges of internal displacement in Southern Africa and identify actionable solutions.
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The Vera Chirwa Prize winner for 2024 was announced on International Human Rights Day, 10 December 2024, at the Aula, University of Pretoria, on the occasion of the 25th graduation ceremony of the Master’s in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (HRDA), of the Centre for Human Rights at the Law Faculty of the University of Pretoria. Ms Lindiwe Khumalo is an HRDA alumna (Class of 2010, Eswatini).
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On Tuesday 10 December, International Human Rights Day, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (the Centre) held its annual graduation ceremony. In 2024, the Centre celebrates significant milestones for two of its academic programmes: the Master’s in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (HRDA) and the Master’s in Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa (SRRA). This year marks 25 years of teaching and successful completion of 25 cohorts of HRDA students, while the SRRA marks 10 years since its inception.
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On Saturday 30 November 2024, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University for Pretoria (the Centre), sensitised Members of Parliament (MPs) of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on ratification of African Union (AU) human rights treaties. This session was one of the sessions during PAP’s Regional Workshop on the Ratification and Implementation of AU legal instruments on shared values held from 29 to 30 November 2024, the seat of PAP in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. The workshop is part of PAP’s efforts to facilitate the effective implementation of AU’s policies and objectives.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, joins the international community in observing International Anti-Corruption Day, which is observed annually on 9 December. The 2024 theme is: ‘Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity’. This year’s focus acknowledges the critical role of young people in combating corruption and fostering a culture of accountability and transparency globally. We reaffirm our commitment to addressing corruption, a persistent challenge that undermines democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.
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Pretoria University Law Press (PULP) on 6 December 2024 launched its second of a series of commentaries on African human rights treaties, The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child: A Commentary.
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On Human Rights Day, HURIDOCS will host a webinar to showcase the critical role of documentation and technology in protecting defenders, advocating for the rights of those who are wrongfully detained and supporting those who are detained to claim their rights.
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For two days (Thursday 28 and Friday 29 November 2024) the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, held a capacity-building workshop for African civil society actors (CSOs) on engaging with the African human rights system. The capacity-building workshop, which was hosted at 224 in Pretoria, benefited 20 participants from CSOs operating across the four regions of the African continent in these countries: Algeria, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The work of participating organisations covers diverse human rights issues including women’s rights, children’s rights, persons deprived of their liberty, sexual minorities, socio-economic rights and refugees.
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From 13 - 14 November 2024, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria hosted the 12th Annual Disability Rights in Africa Conference under the theme ‘Disability Rights, information and communication technologies (ICTs) in Africa.’ The conference was held in a hybrid format, with some participants attending in person at Premier Hotel, OR Tambo International Airport and others virtually. The conference aimed to critically examine laws, policies, practices, programmes, and ideologies pertaining to the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa within the context of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and to promote discussions on innovative solutions aimed at enhancing human rights for persons with disabilities through the use of ICTs. The Conference brought together stakeholders interested in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities through ICT and related technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).
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Since its adoption in July 1990 and entry into force in November 1999, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (African Children’s Charter), has become a key instrument within the African human rights system, governing children’s rights in Africa. To date, 51 out of 55 African Union member states have ratified the African Children’s Charter, which demonstrates a growing commitment to respect, protect and promote the rights of children. There is no doubt that the Charter, since entering into force, has significantly contributed to the development of standards and practice related to children in Africa.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, warmly welcomes the adoption of the Resolution on Promoting and Harnessing Data Access as a Tool for Advancing Human Rights and Sustainable Development in the Digital Age by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) during its 81st Ordinary Session. This Resolution represents a landmark achievement in the Commission’s ongoing efforts to ensure that Africa’s digital future is one rooted in human rights, equity, and social justice. By recognising the transformative power of data in promoting democracy, transparency, and accountability, the ACHPR is positioning data access as a crucial tool in advancing the sustainable development agenda and safeguarding fundamental rights across the continent.
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The Business and Human Rights– A Comparative Regional Perspective workshop, spanning two days, will provide a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between corporate accountability and human rights, both generally and through a regional lens.
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On 20 November 2024, a significant validation meeting was held by the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Africa Unit at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria. The meeting focused on critical issues regarding the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of older women across Africa. Despite the presence of various human rights instruments designed to protect the rights of older individuals, the meeting underscored the ongoing barriers that older women face in accessing SRHR services.
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By Dr Lydia T. Chibwe and Dr Sindiso Nkomo of the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria
In Africa, millions of girls struggle to access education, and one of the most overlooked barriers is period poverty. A lack of affordable menstrual products, limited sanitation facilities and pervasive cultural taboos around menstruation result in many girls missing school every month. This disrupts their academic progress, harms their self-esteem and diminishes their future opportunities. The situation is even worse for girls with disabilities.
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From the 31st of October to the 1st of November 2024, the Centre for Human Rights hosted the 3rd Regional Convening on access to justice for persons with disabilities in Africa. The convening sought to strengthen the capacity of criminal justice personnel including police officers, prosecutors, magistrates, defence lawyers and intermediaries on how to ensure that persons with disabilities access justice on an equal basis with others. The participants were drawn from a number of African countries including South Africa, Lesotho, Zambia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, and Malawi.
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On 12th and 14th of November 2024, the Centre hosted two pivotal meetings in Windhoek, Namibia, focusing on advancing the country’s human rights landscape under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter) and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol). The two separate gatherings brought together civil society organisations (CSOs) and representatives of the State Reporting and Follow-up Inter-ministerial Committee of Namibia including representatives from the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defence.
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The Pretoria University Law Press (PULP) is proud to announce the winner of the Christof Heyns Memorial Thesis Award 2024. The award for the best thesis by an African doctoral candidate completed in 2023, goes to Dr Barbra Ontibile Bhebe.
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The scholarship of Professor Charles Fombad provides important guidance to address contemporary challenges to constitutionalism in Africa and around the world. This is a key conclusion of a conference honouring Charles Fombad’s academic contributions, held on 21 and 22 October at the Future Africa Campus of the University of Pretoria.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, cordially invites you to its 12th Annual Disability Rights in Africa Conference, which will take place from 13 to 14 November 2024 in hybrid format in Johannesburg, Premier Hotel, OR Tambo and online via Zoom and online via Zoom. The theme of this year’s Conference is ‘Disability rights, information and communication technologies (ICT) in Africa.’
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, in collaboration with the government of Côte d’Ivoire, Ministry of Women, the Family and Children, hosted a Francophone Regional Training on State Party Reporting under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter) and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol). The training was held from 28 to 30 October 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The training brought together government and civil society representatives from Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Guinea Conakry, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali. The workshop highlighted the importance of state party reports in assessing the progress made by African nations in fulfilling their commitments to human rights, specifically concerning women's rights under the Maputo Protocol.
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As part of the UTFORSK project “Fostering research-based education through academic mobility and measuring the domestic impact of core human rights treaties”, the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of Oslo, and the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, are organizing a closing international conference to be held in Oslo, Norway, on 14 and 15 April 2025.
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On Saturday 19 October, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria hosted a networking event of Centre alumni in Banjul, where they were attending the 81st Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The event was attended by thirty graduates of two of the Centre’s five academic programmes: the Masters in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (HRDA); and the Masters in Multidisciplinary Human Rights (MDHR).
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, strongly condemns the double murder of Mozambique opposition (Podemos) political party’s lawyer (Elvino Dias) and representative (Paulo Guambe) on Friday 18 October 2024. The two were killed just hours before the start of planned protests challenging the results of the country’s elections held on 9 October 2024. There are concerns over allegations that these elections were altered unjustifiably to favour the ruling party, Frelimo, which is seeking to maintain its 49-year uninterrupted grip on power. Since the sad development on Friday, reports from the country reveal excessive use of force, including the police firing tear gas at independent presidential candidate Venânciao Mondlane and his supporters on 21 October 2024, who had gathered at the scene where Dias and Guambe were killed.
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On 26 - 27 of September 2024, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria hosted a regional workshop on enhancing the ratification and implementation of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (African Disability Protocol).
The African Disability Protocol was adopted by the African Union (AU) Assembly with a view to promote and protect rights of persons with disabilities in Africa. The regional workshop sought to encourage and foster open dialogue among AU Member States on effective implementation strategies and encourage a wider ratification of the African Disability Protocol as the Protocol has come into force.
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On 17 October 2024, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria collaborated with other stakeholders to commemorate 25 years of the Office of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa (Special Rapporteur). The event was hosted on the side-lines of the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Africa taking place in Banjul, the Gambia. The other partners of the event were IPAS and Equality Now.
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To celebrate the scholarship of Prof Charles Fombad, the Centre for Human Rights, the NRF Chair in International Constitutionalism, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, the Faculty of Law, University of the Free State and the African Network for Constitutional Lawyers, invite members of the public to celebrate and reflect on Professor Charles Fombad’s ongoing scholarship from 21-22 October 2024.
RSVP (In-person attendance) Register on Zoom (Online) Download Programme
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The Centre for Human Rights welcomes the landmark judgment handed down by the Pretoria High Court on Monday, 30 September 2024 in the case of The Embrace Project NPC and Others v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Case no.:04856/22, Pretoria High Court]. In terms of the judgment, Baqwa J ordered that Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 read with section 1(2) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Act 32 of 2007 are declared unconstitutional, invalid and inconsistent with the Constitution to the extent that these provisions do not criminalise sexual violence where the perpetrator wrongly and unreasonably believed that the complainant was consenting to the conduct in question, alternatively to the extent that the provisions permit a defence against a charge of sexual violence where there is no reasonable objective belief in consent. This significant judgment marks a pivotal moment in South Africa’s legal approach to prosecuting sexual violence cases.
2024 Right Livelihood Laureates empower communities through non-violence and speaking truth to power
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This year’s Right Livelihood Laureates have each made a profound impact on their communities and the global stage. Their unwavering commitment to speaking out against forces of oppression and exploitation, while strictly adhering to non-violent methods, resonates far beyond their communities.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, welcomes the coming into force of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa (African Disability Protocol), which came into force on 3 May 2024, following the receipt of the 15th instrument of ratification, in accordance with article 38 of the Protocol. The fifteen African Union (AU) Member States that have ratified the African Disability Protocol include Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Niger, Rwanda, South Africa, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Uganda. The Protocol’s entry into force creates an enabling legal framework in the African Human Rights System for the protection, promotion and fulfilment of the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa.
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The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a collective global commitment to eradicating poverty and reducing inequalities, underpinned by the “Leave No One Behind” principle. This guiding framework calls for an inclusive approach, ensuring that all people, especially the most marginalised, have equitable access to resources, rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, and opportunities. However, refugees, asylum seekers, and migrant workers face numerous barriers that extend beyond the mere lack of resources. Discriminatory laws, exclusionary policies, and harmful social practices continue to marginalize these vulnerable groups, further deepening inequalities.
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The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), in partnership with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), and the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, is organizing a Joint Colloquium on Realizing Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ESCR) in Africa with a Focus on the Right to Education, scheduled for 21 - 22 October 2024 in Banjul, The Gambia, on the margins of the 81st Ordinary Session of the ACHPR.
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The Information Regulator in partnership with the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria will host the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) Symposium on 27 September 2024.
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By Tendai Mbanje
Introduction
Every year on 21 September, the United Nations (UN) invites the world to mark the International Day of Peace. This day was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly.[1] In 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate this day as a day of non-violence and cease-fire.[2] This year’s focus is on “cultivating a culture of peace”.[3] According to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, ‘‘cultivating a culture of peace means replacing division, disempowerment, and despair with justice, equality, and hope for all’’.[4] This day takes us back to 1945 when the UN was formed with the primary objective of promoting international peace, cooperation, security, and developing friendly relations among nations.[5] The establishment of the UN has achieved significant success in various areas. However, the organisation's peace objectives continue to face numerous challenges.
Peace is under attack, and geopolitical tensions are on the rise, undermining the objectives of the UN
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On 05 September 2024, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, collaborated with the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) and the ICT4Peace Foundation and hosted a consultative workshop on the responsible use of technology in private security. The workshop convened participants from the public sector, private security, civil society organisations, and academic institutions to discuss the deployment of new technologies in the private security sector and compliance with human rights and ethical standards.
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Michelo Kennedy Hansungule was Professor of Human Rights Law at the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, South Africa from 2004 up to his retirement a few years ago. For many years, he was an esteemed and respected part of the Centre team. He was a Zambian by birth, but an African at heart. In his teaching, research and interactions, he was the embodiment of the ‘African personality’.
