Research report published
‘Punished for being poor: Evidence and arguments for the decriminalisation of petty offences’ provided evidence of how these laws disporportionately target poor and marginalised groups.
Successful litigation in Zambia
SALC litigated successfully in Kasonkomona in the Zambia High Court, acquitting him of the charges of ‘idle and disorderly’ and soliciting for an immoral purpose.
Research report published
Southern African Litigation Centre report highlighted sex workers’ experiences of police abuse and their vulnerability to discrimination, harassment and physical and sexual abuse by police officials.
Successful litigation in sexworkers case in Malawi
SALC and CHREAA represented 19 Malawian women who were arrested and charged with the offence of living on the earnings of prostitution contrary to the Penal Code.
Successful litigation in touting case in Malawi
SALC and CHREAA successfully assisted 21 minibus touts (also known as minibus ‘callboys’) who earn money by attracting passengers to board minibuses.
Research report published
Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) published findings that there were 958 cases of people arrested for being idle and disorderly between 2011 and 2015, in Uganda.
Landmark ruling in Malawi on 'rogue and vagabond' law
SALC and CHREAA successfully litigated in Mayeso Gwanda and obtained a High Court judgement declaring that the rogue and vagabond offence contained in the Malawi Penal Code is unconstitutional.
Kenya establishes committee to review criminal justice system
Chief Justice of Kenya gazetted the formation of a National Steering Committee to review the criminal justice system and specifically petty offences, informed by ICJ-Kenya research.
Research report published
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) Ghana released a report ‘Decriminalising and declassifying petty offences in Ghana’.
Kenya issues practice directions on touting
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Kenya issued practice directions on handling the offence of touting, based on recommendations from ICJ-Kenya advocacy and research.
Successful litigation in Zimbabwe
SALC represented Ricky Nathanson (a transgender person) and obtained a successful judgment in the Zimbabwe High Court awarding damages to him for wrongful arrest for being a criminal nuisance.
Model Police Law adopted by Pan African Parliament
Pan-African Parliament adopted a Model Police Law for Africa recognising that alternatives to arrest should be implemented by law enforcement agencies and officials for minor and petty offences.
Simplified version of principles launched
A simplified version of the ‘Principles’ was launched during the 67th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR in November 2020.
Campaign holds Regional Conference
In September 2020, the campaign hosted a virtual conference to deliberate on issues relating to the balancing of rights in the midst of a pandemic.
Righting a Wrong! Virtual Convening
During the “Righting a Wrong!” virtual convening, both duty bearers and rights holders reflected on the implications for practice of the African Court's Advisory opinion, and provide guidance to States on strategies for domestication at national level.
Counting the Cost of Exclusion
At this virtual meetings, campaign started to explore the complex interplay between social, economic and political exclusion, and criminalisation, as a precursor to expanding the campaign's scope.
Campaign expands focus and scope
After a strategic meeting, the Campaign re-emerges as the 'Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status', broadening it's scope to include other regions, such as Caribbean, S Asia & North America; as well as social, political and economic status and activism.
Campaign members reach 50
With a growing membership and expanded global scope, the campaign's official membership hit 50 organisations from across the world.
