Updates Archives

‘Is poverty criminalized in Peoria? A lawyer provides her take’ – Campaign in WCBU article
In the WCBU article ‘Is poverty criminalized in Peoria? A lawyer provides her take‘, Alexus McNally, a researcher from campaign partner, The International Legal Foundation,

South Africa invites for public comment on decriminalising of sex work
South Africa is poised to become the first African country to decriminalise sex work following the publication of an amendment to the country’s criminal law

The Cape Declaration adopted by consensus
One of the key outcomes of the Stellenbosch Convening, was the adoption by consensus of the Cape Declaration by participants of the Campaign’s Annual Convening

Ugandan Constitutional Court declares parts of the ‘Rogue and Vagabond’ Offence unconstitutional
Today, five justices of the Constitutional Court of Uganda (Frederick Egonda-Ntende, Elizabeth Musoke, Christopher Madrama Izama, Monica K Mugenyi, and Christopher Gashirabake JJCC) in a

South African Deputy Minister advocates for reform to ease prison overcrowding
South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Justice, Hon John Jeffery talks to SABC News in South Africa about criminal law and incarceration on the African continent,

The Djerba Declaration launched at Summit de la Francophonie side-event
On the 19 November 2022, francophone partners hosted a side-event, ‘Decriminalisation of poverty, status and activism: what role for the OIF?’, at the 18th Summit

APCOF addresses EU-AU Dialogue on behalf of Campaign
Campaign partner APCOF submits a statement on behalf of the Campaign, to the EU-AU Consultation with Civil Society. The statement calls on the EU-AU dialogue

Campaign submits statement at 73rd ACHPR session
APCOF submitted the below statement on behalf of the Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status, in response to the report of the Special Rapporteur on

Reflections on Women Prison Conditions – ACHPR
At the 73rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Louise Edwards, Director of Research and Programmes at APCOF gave the

Malawian High Court outlaws sweeping arrests
Article from Malawi Nation, Wed Nov 18, 2021: Last week, the Malawian High Court declared the police’s indiscriminate sweeping exercises unlawful and in violation of

Malawi High Court Declares Mass Arrests (Sweeping Exercises) Unconstitutional
Blantyre, 9 November 2022 – On 8 November 2022, the High Court of Malawi issued a judgment declaring the police’s indiscriminate practice of sweeping exercises

South African civil society issue statement ahead of UPR
On 16 November 2022, the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group examined South Africa’s human rights record for the fourth time.

The crime of being poor – images of human rights violations in prisons aim to spark rethink of incarceration
Former Constitutional Court judge and current inspecting judge of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS), Edwin Cameron, was one of the speakers at the

Regional meeting on prison oversight mechanisms
On 27 and 28 October 2022 a large, multi-sectoral group of stakeholders from across Africa met in Johannesburg to consider urgent action to address cruel,

Exhibition: The Ties that Bind Us
On 27 October 2022, SALC co-hosted a photo exhibition entitled “The ties that bind us”. The exhibition looked at the conditions in detention accross Africa

PRI issues statements against criminalistion of women to UN working group
In October 2022, PRI responded to a call for input by the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, for its upcoming report

Campaign issues joint statement on colonial laws at the UN Human Rights Council
On 28 September, as part of its 51st session, the UN Human Rights Council held a panel discussion on the negative impact of colonial legacies

Special Report on Petty Offences covered in Nigerian media
Premium Times Nigeria run a special report entitled ‘Criminalisation of petty offences in Nigeria violates the poor‘ which heavily features campaign engagement with both the

Stellenbosch Conference closes with coalition’s draft Joint Declaration
From 27 to 29 September 2022, representatives from over 40 organisations from over 30 countries, gathered in Stellenbosch, South Africa, for the Campaign’s Annual Convening

Criminalization of Homelessness is Racially Discriminatory, Must be Abolished, Say UN Human Rights Experts
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND- The U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva yesterday stated “it remains concerned at the increasing number of state and

Children caught using cannabis will no longer be criminally prosecuted
GroundUP reports: The Constitutional Court has ratified a High Court order declaring sections of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act as unconstitutional because it criminalises

Over 50 organisations to attend Annual Convening
From 27 to 29 September 2022, representatives from over 50 organisations from over 35 countries, will gather in Stellenbosch, South Africa, for the Campaign’s Annual

Understanding the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s Methods of Work
The short video provides an explanation on how the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s mechanism could play an important part on the advocacy work

Partners submit shadow report on racial injustice in the US
For the U.S. review by the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Miami Law Human Rights Clinic, National Homelessness Law Center, and

Economic right activity in check in Malawi
Due to economic challenges the country is sailing through, some people have resorted to doing business at a small-scale to earn a living. However, those

City of Cape Town to return belongings to homeless after agreement in court
City of Cape Town has been ordered by the Western Cape High Court in South Africa, to return the belongings of the homeless living around

‘Petty Offences, Major consequences’ : TelQuel special feature
Co-founder of Relais, Youssef Madad is interviewed in TelQuel Feature on ‘Petty Offences, Major Consequences’. In his interview, entitled ‘Neighbourhoods are the right grounds for

CAMPHK files as amicus to decriminalise suicide in Kenya
In Kenya attempted suicide as laid out by Section 226 of the Penal Code is a misdemeanor punishable by Two (2) Year’s imprisonment or a

Bid to overturn Sierra Leone loitering laws that activists claim ‘criminalise poverty’
The Guardian: Citing claims of violence and rape by police, lawyers and activists mount legal challenge to laws brought in under British rule A case

Poor traders in Jail
Campaign partner, Crime Check TV release a video that highlights the effect of dutybearers using vagrancy and loitering laws to target poor traders in Ghana.
India’s Supreme Court strikes down colonial-era homosexuality ban in landmark ruling
India’s top court struck down a colonial-era law that made homosexual acts punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a landmark victory for gay
Hawking is employment and a socioeconomic right, not crime
Many hawkers in Kenya, from anecdotal evidence, have been women. They educate, feed, shelter and clothe their children with the income from what they knew
INDIA: Supreme Court verdict is ‘call for action’ to Commonwealth Nations bound to colonial laws: CHRI
New Delhi, September 9— The unanimous Indian Supreme Court judgment which ended the ban on consensual gay sex in private is a landmark verdict which is
Study proposes decriminalizing traffic offences to cut case backlog
By Dorothy Otieno Almost three-quarters of criminal cases in Nairobi and Narok counties are traffic violations, shows report The high number of traffic cases is
Jail isn’t right place for the mentally ill
Almost half of the 140 inmates in Warren County Jail have been prescribed psychotropic drugs, and more than half are receiving mental health treatment. It
KENYA:The bribery economy; how petty offenders have been made cash cows
By Joseph Muraya “”Sasa tufanye nini?” (What do you want us to do?),” it is a question one is likely to encounter if found on
KENYA:A Reporter’s Tale of Agony in the Hands of Law Enforcers
By Ruth Kadide Keah. “My Press card and my job saved me from the agony of cleaning up Kibarani dumpsite along Mombasa- Nairobi highway” Seif Mkalla said,
SOUTH AFRICA:Decriminalise petty offences to reduce prison overcrowding
By Melody Kozah 2 August 2018 South Africa’s move towards decriminalisation aligns with the developmental approach to crime and violence. Speaking at the launch of
KENYA:We must stop criminalising poverty
By Collins Odote A fundamental tenet of any civilized society is the guarantee that the rule of law is the basis of governance. This requires that
SOUTH AFRICA:A Petty Offence Remains a Petty Offence-South African High Court
The Cape High Court recently dealt with the review of two decisions of the lower courts in which prison sentences were handed to two offenders
SIERRA LEONE: Attorney General to address ‘Petty Crimes’
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Charles Francis Margai, said he will work together with judges to solve issues around petty crimes. He said
GHANA: Decriminalizing Petty Offences In The Right Direction
CitiNewsRoom Human rights activist, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has welcomed a research report by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) Africa Office, on the need to decriminalize
KENYA:Petty Offenders Congesting Kenyan Prisons
Early in the morning of the 6th day of June 2018, at Mariakani law courts in Kilifi County, 9 men and a lady were brought
Communique: Poverty is not a crime
It remains the case that too many people, especially the poor and other disadvantaged groups, are arrested and even detained for the transgression of minor

MALAWI: Challenging constitutionality of rogue and vagabond offence
In March 2015, the applicant was arrested by police whilst on his way to the market where he works as a street vendor. He was
NCAJ Reform Committee engages DCI on criminal Justice Reforms
On 23rd June 2017, the Chief Justice of Kenya, Hon. David K Maraga, established The National Council on the Administration of Justice Committee on Criminal
NCAJ Reform Committee engages DCI on criminal Justice Reforms
On 23rd June 2017, the Chief Justice of Kenya, Hon. David K Maraga, established The National Council on the Administration of Justice Committee on Criminal Justice
KENYA:Government banks on law changes to stop jailing of petty offenders
Prisons are choking with inmates, and most of them were either convicted of petty offences or are pre-trial remandees. The Office of the DPP has
SOUTH AFRICA:“The Policing Of Sex Work In South Africa: A Research Report On The Human Rights Challenges Across Two South African Provinces” December 2017
DOWNLOAD: PPP Flyer Final: Introducing the Positive Policing Partnership The “PPP” Initiative: Sex work and policing in South Africa DOWNLOAD Sweat CSR Report Final – 5
The Policing Of Sex Work In South Africa
Marginalised and stigmatised groups in society such as migrants, sex workers, homeless people and drug users are at particular risk of human rights violations during
KENYA:Sex workers trained as paralegals protect colleagues from police harassment
Nov. 25, 2016, 6:00 pm By LYDIA MATATA, @lydiamatata The Star Newspaper Esther served a three-month jail sentence when she began sex work aged 16. Unable to
KENYA:Poverty is Not a Crime: Kisumu Residents Lament Harassment on Petty Offences
International Commission of Jurists Kenyan Chapter (ICJ Kenya) extended their decriminalization and re-classification of petty offences campaign to Kisumu’s Ofafa Hall on March 17th 2018.
Review Petty Offences Laws: ICJ Kenya Brings Decrim Campaign to Radio
In its deliberate engagement with residents and stakeholders on petty offences in Kenya, International Commission of Jurists –Kenyan section (ICJ Kenya) took its decriminalization and
KENYA: 10 Nairobi by-Laws That Could Get You Arrested
Kenyans have always found themselves on the receiving end when it comes to the law due to lack of knowledge on the existing rules of
KENYA: State could release petty offenders after case reviews: ODPP
Many petty criminal offenders in remand could soon be released as the Government moves to cut its spending on remandees, which currently stands at approximately
ZIMBABWE: Vendors acquitted over protest against Police and City Council operation to remove them from CBD
HRDs Alert 19 February 2018 A ZIMBABWEAN court has acquitted three informal traders, who had been on trial for allegedly committing public violence late last
KENYA: launches National Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms
The National Council on Administrative Justice (NCAJ) recently launched the Criminal Justice Reforms Committee (NCCJR) on January 15, 2018 at the Supreme Court Gardens. The
LAGOS, NIGERIA: Lawyer Asks Buhari to lead fight against petty offences
Lagos lawyer and civil rights advocate, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the campaign to decriminalize and declassify petty offences at
Human Rights: African Commission Adopts Principles for Decriminalization of Petty Offenses in Africa
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 21st Extraordinary Session held from 23 February to 4 March 2017 in
Vagrancy-related provisions in various criminal laws and criminal procedure laws in Africa
Note: This table was compiled using the Penal Codes that are accessible online, and we accordingly cannot guarantee that we referred to the latest versions
How One Man Defeated the Legacy of an Empire
Across Africa, corrupt police officers use colonial laws to extort bribes, arrest and sexually assault the indigent and punish anyone they don’t like. Malawi is
The National Council on the Administration of Justice Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms Planning Meeting
The National Council on the Administration of Justice Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms (NCCJR) was established and gazzeted by The Chief Justice of Kenya, Hon.David
RWANDA:“All Thieves Must Be Killed” Extrajudicial Executions in Western Rwanda
The mayor said, “All thieves must be killed.” He said it was an order. −Witness to the execution of Fulgence Rukundo on December 6, 2016
Mr. Wilfred Nderitu Elected as the VC of the NCAJ Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms at the Committee’s Inaugural Meeting
Mr. Wilfred Nderitu was on 3rd August 2017 elected as the Vice Chairperson of the National Council on the Administration of Justice Committee on Criminal
Conference addresses Discriminatory Petty Offences in Africa
ACJR participated in the 8th Annual Conference of the Pan African Lawyers Union Seminar focusing on Initiatives for the Decriminalisation and Declassification of Petty Offences
Kenyans are still oppressed by archaic colonial laws
It’s been 54 years since Kenya got her independence and yet there are still a number of archaic, colonial and discriminatory laws on the statute
Govt on the spot as women languish in jail over petty offenses
An audit report in Kenya’s criminal justice system paints a tragic picture on women access to justice. It portrays state organs as the worst enemy
Offences that keep Nairobi County Court busy
By Josphat Thio’go It’s Monday morning and City Hall is once again a beehive of activity after the weekend break. People are pacing up and
Kenya Chief Justice – Committee on Criminal Justice Reform (NCCJR)
Following the national conference on decriminalization and re-classification of petty offences held in Nairobi in March 2017, and further to research findings from the audit
ACHPR/Res. 366 (EXT.OS/XX1) 2017
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 21st Extraordinary Session held from 23 February to 4 March 2017 in
Poverty is not a crime: Decriminalise and declassify petty offences
06 Feb 2017 | by Melody Kozah, African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF) People living in poverty and on the margins of society have been,
Decriminalisation of petty offences
May 5, 2017 By NLM Reporter Criminalisation of petty offences in Kenya has, over time, provided a basis for gross violation of the human rights
Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard) Sep 30 – Dec 11, 1986
Hansard Record on Google Books
Experts call for decriminalisation and reclassification of petty offences
by ODHIAMBO ORLALE · April 13, 2017 A new study on petty offences shows a link between poverty, corruption and increase in the number of
Addressing Petty Offences in Kenya: Which Way Forward?
Victor Kapiyo[1] Petty offences are generally understood to be lesser criminal acts which attract less severe punishment. This is because they are considered to be
Chief Justice David Maraga Reveals the Day Police Arrested Him in Nakuru Town
By Benjamin Muriuki. Maraga revealed that at the time he was a student and was nabbed by police in Nakuru town for allegedly loitering.
Remove criminal sanctions for petty offenders – ICJ
By JOSEPH NDUNDA, The International Commission of Jurists on Thursday called for a review of laws to remove criminal sanctions on petty offenders. They want
National Conference on Decriminalization and Re-Classification of Petty Offences in Africa 30.03.2017
Following the conclusion of the policy research on petty offences and practices affecting populations at National Level and in Kisumu, Mombasa and Nairobi county levels,
“Rogues” and “Vagabonds” No More: Ending Africa’s Imperial Legacy of Absurd Petty Offenses
By Louise Ehlers At 3 a.m. one March morning, Mayeso Gwanda, an informal trader, left his home in Blantyre, Malawi, and traveled to the nearby

The Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status is a coalition of organisations from across the world that advocate for the repeal of laws that target people based on poverty, status or for their activism.
@DecrimPS
#DecrimPoverty | #DecrimStatus | #DecrimActivism