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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’.
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by Tendai Mbanje
On 15 September, every year, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and parliaments worldwide celebrate the International Day of Democracy, declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007. In its resolution A/RES/62/7 establishing the International Day of Democracy, the United Nations noted that ‘‘while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy’’ and that ‘‘democracy does not belong to any country or region’’. The International Day of Democracy is meant both to celebrate democracy and to serve as a reminder that the need to promote and protect democracy is as urgent now as ever. Interestingly, the choice of 15 September for the International Day of Democracy corresponds to the adoption in September 1997 by the IPU of a Universal Declaration on Democracy. This Declaration affirms the principles of democracy, the elements and exercise of democratic government, and the global scope of democracy.
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In response to the emerging practice of pharmacists refusing to dispense abortifacients due to conscientious objection, the Centre for Human Rights, and 11 other public interest organisations, have addressed an open letter to the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) and the National Department of Health (NDOH). The open letter contains a legal opinion highlighting the significant, and adverse, impact of conscientious objection on access to safe and legal abortions.
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On Tuesday 10 September 2024, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Court) will hold a public hearing in Centre for Human Rights and Others v United Republic of Tanzania (Application No. 019 of 2018). This case was filed on 26 July 2018 by three NGOs, namely: the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa and the Legal and Human Rights Council.
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The Centre for Human Rights (Centre), Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, is convening a conference on sexual and gender minority rights in Africa under the theme Preventing and eradicating conversion practices in Africa. The conference aims to bring together scholars and activists to share perspectives and strategies towards preventing and eradicating conversion practices in Africa. The conference will be held in a hybrid format on 5 - 6 December 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa. It is anticipated that papers presented at the conference will be reworked by authors and submitted to be part of an edited book on strategies to prevent and eradicate conversation practices in Africa.
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (Centre) held the second Christof Heyns Memorial Lecture on 4 July 2024. Professor Christoffel Hendrik (Christof) Heyns, who passed away suddenly in March 2021, was an internationally renowned human rights lawyer, legal educator and activist. He was one of the founders and previous director of the Centre. He also initiated the Master’s programme in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa (HRDA), under whose auspices the event was organized.
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On 2 September 2024, Justice Duncan Gaswaga, a Ugandan national, was sworn in as a new Justice of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Court). In addition, two other Justices, Justice Stella Isibhakhomen Anukam from Nigeria and Justice Blaise Tchikaya from the Republic of Congo, were sworn into begin a second and final six-year term. They were all elected by the AU Executive Council during its 45th Ordinary Session held on 18-19 July 2024 in Accra, Ghana.
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From 19 - 21 August 2024, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria convened a capacity-building workshop on the African human rights system for the Africa Internet Rights Alliance (AIRA). AIRA is a dynamic network of Africa-based civil society organisations (CSOs) at the forefront of advancing digital rights and internet freedom across the continent. The purpose of the engagement was to equip AIRA members with a comprehensive understanding of the African human rights system.
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By Lydia Chibwe and Bianca Knight
The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is annually celebrated on the 30th of August and acts as a reminder of the thousands of lives lost as a result of state-sponsored abductions. On this day, the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria reflects on a few events as they occurred in Zimbabwe, where political violence, persecution and unsolved disappearances have plagued the country for years.
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The Pretoria University Law Press (PULP) invites you to the virtual book launch of A Theory on Africanizing International Law, by Micha Wiebusch (2024).
Download Book Download Invitation Click here to register on Zoom
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria will host a two-day (17 Thursday 17 to 18 Friday October 2024) capacity-building workshop for African civil society organisations (CSOs) on engagement with the African human rights system. The workshop targets African CSOs that have so far had limited or no interaction with the three core African human rights bodies, namely: the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, the African Court on Human and People’s Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
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The Centre for Human Rights,Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria invites African Youth Human Rights to a Conference under the theme "Empowering African Youth for the Realisation of Human Rights"
Date: 3 - 4 September 2024
Time: 09:00 - 15:45
Online: (Zoom)
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On 14 -16 August 2024, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (Centre), hosted a training on the litigation of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) claims before national and regional mechanisms in Africa. The training is the second annual series forming part of the Centre’s responses to concerns over the underutilisation of litigation for the enforcement of SRHR in Africa.
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On Thursday, 22 August 2024, the Centre for Human Rights (Centre), Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. The signing ceremony, held at the recently refurbished and renamed Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, marked the solidification of the partnership between the two institutions, and their shared commitment to strengthening collaboration in line with their visions and missions. The two institutions pledged to work together in co-hosting the annual Equality Court Clerk Conference as part of their strategic aim to enhance access to Equality Courts in South Africa for the LBGTQI+ community in the country.
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The African Human Rights Yearbook invites submissions for articles related to the African Union theme of the Year 2024: ‘Educate an African fit for the 21st century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa’, of no more than 10,000 words, footnotes included.
The call for contirutions has been extended.
Closing date for submissions is 15 September 2024 submit to: ahry@up.ac.za
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The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, congratulates the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (the Special Rapporteur) on the significant occasion of its 20th anniversary. Since its establishment in 2004, the Mechanism has exhibited a remarkable dedication to the principles of freedom of expression and access to information, resolutely advocating for these fundamental rights. On this occasion of this milestone, the Centre for Human Rights, commends the Mechanism’s steadfast advocacy for these fundamental rights across the continent, reflecting a persistent commitment to promoting freedoms essential for public engagement, democratic governance, and the realisation of broader human rights.
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The government of Botswana should take steps to address gaps in the legal framework such as fixing of the election date, finalisation of the constitution review process and state funding of political parties which may cause political instability in the future if not resolved.
By Tendai Mbanje
Introduction
This year, many major elections are happening across the world. In Africa, about 19 elections are expected to take place throughout the year. Many democracies are being tested. The Republic of Botswana is one democracy that must pass this test. This paper is an extract from my participation as an Election Analyst and the Deputy Chief Observer of the African Centre for Governance (ACG) Pre-Election Assessment Mission to Botswana (ACG PAM), which was held from the 18th to the 20th of July 2024. Below are key issues in relation to the political context, legal framework, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), voter registration, political parties, party and campaign finances, role of media, and civil society that African citizens should know as they anticipate paying close attention to Botswana’s 2024 elections, which are expected to take place in October this year.
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Bringing together over 18 participants from across the Continent, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria (Centre) held the 9th edition of the capacity building workshop on strategic litigation and advocacy for LGBTIQ+ Advocates in Africa from 22 - 26 July 2024. The capacity building workshop aims to enhance the skills of experienced African activists in strategic litigation and advocacy towards the protection of sexual and gender minorities in Africa.
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In pursuit of the ideals of excellence, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy. The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international development.
Project Title
A critical analysis of the potential of the Pan-African Parliament, the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD and the African Peer Review Mechanism to facilitate citizen engagement in the African Union reform processes.
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The Global Engagement Network on Internal Displacement in Africa (GENIDA) is excited to announce a call for audio notes! We invite you to contribute to our upcoming audiomentary by sharing your insights on one or two provisions of the Kampala Convention and how they relate to your home country.
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On 23 and 24 July 2024, the Centre for Human Rights (CHR), Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria in collaboration with the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (ECF-SADC) and supported by the Open Society Foundations, convened a regional capacity building workshop on the information ecosystem and elections in Africa.
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The 33rd Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court Competition concluded on 27 July 2024, with the combined team of Ebonyi State University, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, and Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, emerging as the winning team. The runners-up are the Université Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso, and University of Nairobi, Kenya. Capturing the pan-African aim of the Competition, the four finalist teams came from different regions on the continent -- the Sahel (Université Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso), from West Africa (Ebonyi State University, Ebonyi State, Nigeria), East Africa (University of Nairobi, Kenya) and Southern Africa (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe).
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The Centre for Human Rights is seeking to conduct a study on these organs of the AU, based in Midrand, South Africa, with a particular focus on ways to enhance citizens’ participation in the reforms of the African Union.
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The CHR is looking for a qualified consultant to conduct research on the social protection accorded to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons, including LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers, in various African countries.
Download Terms of Reference
Namibia Tanzania South Africa Malawi Botswana Zambia Zimbabwe
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As part of the Moot, the Fifth Nelson Mandela Lecture took place on the evening of 17 July at the Maison de la Paix. The Geneva Human Rights Platform played a pivotal role in ensuring that this lecture took place.
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The 16th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition concluded at the European seat of the United Nations, the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on 19 July 2024, a day after the celebration of 104 years since the birth of the internationally renowned human rights icon Nelson Mandela.
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On 23 and 24 July 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia, the Centre for Human Rights (CHR), Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria in collaboration with the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (ECF-SADC) will be convening a regional capacity building workshop on the information ecosystem and elections in Africa.
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In 2024, three of the eleven positions of Judges of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Court) need to be filled. The African Court, which has been established under the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Court Protocol), is the African Union (AU)’s primary human rights judicial body. It has jurisdiction over 34 of 54 state parties to the African Charter.
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The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, Faculty of Law (The Centre), in collaboration with the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College (BMJC) of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, hosted a transformative seminar series focusing on the Equality Court and LGBTIQ+ in the Social Context from 8 to 12 July 2024. Held at the newly launched Brigitte Mabandla Justice College at 332 Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Tshwane, this series marked a significant step forward in advancing access to justice for sexual and gender minorities (SGM) in South Africa, through facilitating conversations on LGBTIQ+ persons and their lived realities.
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Disability Rights, Information and CommunicationDisability Rights, Information and CommunicationTechnologies in Africa
The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, will be convening a hybrid conference titled ‘Disability Rights, Information, and Communication Technologies in Africa’, scheduled for 13-14 November 2024. The conference aims to achieve two primary objectives: firstly, to critically examine laws, policies, practices, programs, and ideologies pertaining to the rights of individuals with disabilities in Africa within the context of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT); secondly, to promote discussions on innovative solutions aimed at enhancing human rights for individuals with disabilities through the utilisation of ICTs. It is anticipated that papers presented at the conference will be refined by authors and subsequently submitted for potential publication in the 2025 volume of the African Disability Rights Yearbook.
Call for Applications: Doctorate in Law (PhD) - Access Medicine under International Human Rights Law
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The Child Law & Health Law Department of the Institute for Private Law at Leiden Law School invite applications for a Doctorate in Law (PhD): The Child’s Right to Access Medicine under International Human Rights Law: Responding to antimicrobial resistance - PhD Candidate, 1.0 FTE Vacancy Number: 14930
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In pursuit of the ideals of excellence, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy. The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international development.
The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria seeks the services of two consultants - one for Anglophone countries and the other for Francophone countries to develop an undergraduate curriculum on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Africa.
