Campaign recommendations incorporated into UN CCPCJ resolution
Campaign members supported Canada-sponsored 'Equal Access to Justice for All' resolution calling for the establishment of an expert committee on the criminalization of poverty and status.
Malawi declares unconstitutional the banning of dreadlocks
On 8 May 2023, the High Court of Malawi delivered a judgment declaring that the Government policy requiring all learners, including children of the Rastafari community, to cut their hair before admission into government schools is unlawful.
Uganda declares parts of ‘Rogue and Vagabond’ Offence unconstitutional
The Constitutional Court of Uganda declared parts of the offence of being a ‘rogue and vagabond’ as unconstitutional and therefore null and void.
Francphone partners launch Djerba Declaration
At the 18th Summit of the Organisation de la Francophonie (OIF) in Djerba, Tunisia, the campaign's francophone partners launched the Djerba Declaration which presents the issue, key recommendations to be considered and a clear call to action for the OIF.
The Cape Declaration adopted
At the Campaign's Annual Convening, held in Stellenbosch, South Africa in September 2022, members drafted the Cape Declaration, calling on stakeholders to join the fight to decriminalise poverty, 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.
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.
Counting the Cost of Exclusion
At this virtual meeting, campaign started to explore the complex interplay between social, economic and political exclusion, and criminalisation, as a precursor to expanding the campaign's scope.
Nigerian High Court denounces violation of women's rights by law enforcement agencies
In declaring the actions of the Joint Task Force in arresting women as an infringement on their rights, the Court granted a perpetual injunction to restrain law enforcement agencies from arresting women in similar circumstances without a court order.
Malawian High Court outlaws sweeping arrests
Malawian High Court declared the police’s indiscriminate sweeping exercises unlawful and in violation of various constitutional rights and international human rights standards.
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.
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.
Simplified version of principles launched
A simplified version of the ‘Principles’ was launched during the 67th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR in November 2020.
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.
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.
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.
Research report published
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) Ghana released a report ‘Decriminalising and declassifying petty offences in Ghana’.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
‘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.
