The participants of the convening of the Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status, held in Stellenbosch, South Africa between 27 and 29 September 2022 gathered to discuss strategies to address the criminalisation of poverty, status and activism around the world and its impact on the poor and most marginalised. This convening brought together 113 participants from 28 countries who are advocates, activists and experts from international, regional, and national non-governmental organisations, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), legal aid organisations, bar associations, the judiciary, and academia. 

The Cape Declaration on Decriminalising Poverty and Status was adopted by consensus by participants, with the request that it be publicised to all relevant stakeholders, and forwarded to national governments, inter-governmental bodies, and regional human rights mechanisms.