Cape Declaration on Decriminalising Poverty and Status

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. 

Year: 2023
Resource Type:
Submission/Statements
Flagship
Themes:
Petty Offences
#PoorNotGuilty
Activism
Alternatives to Criminalisation
Cost of Exclusion
Courts
Fees and Fines
Human Rights
Policing
Public Health
Pre-trial Detention
Prisons
Protests
Use of Public Spaces
Region:
Global
Africa
Australia & the Pacific Islands
Asia
Europe
Latin America & the Caribbean
Middle East
North America
People Groups:
Activists
Children & Youth
Detainees
Disabilities
Drug Users
Elderly
Homeless
Informal Traders
LGBTQIA+ persons
Migrants/Refugees
Poor
Racial/Ethnic/Religious/Caste Minorities
Sex Workers
Women
Duty Bearers
Approach:
Advocacy
Capacity Building
Law Reform
Policy