A legal overview of the impact of COVID-19 on justice and rights in Southern Africa

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, various countries in the Southern African region have put in place restrictions on gatherings, free movement, commerce and expression. Many of these measures limit human rights and result in criminal sanctions for breach. This policy brief looks at these criminalising provisions within the context of the enabling legal and constitutional environment in Lesotho, Malawi, Eswatini, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. Despite their different approaches, the restrictions imposed by all the countries under review have the potential to infringe on fundamental rights.

Year: 2020
Resource Type:
Report
Themes:
Human Rights
Public Health
Region:
Africa
Country(ies):
South Africa
People Groups:
People with Disabilities
People experiencing Homelessness or live in informal settlements
Informal Workers
People affected by Displacement (including migrants and refugees)
Approach:
Research
Policy Reform
Campaign Partner:
Southern Africa Litigation Centre