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Human Rights, Public Law African Law Matters Human Rights, Public Law African Law Matters

The Future of the Maputo Protocol: Prospects and Challenges

In this last post as part of the ‘Maputo at 20’ series, we speak with Hon. Commissioner Ramatoulie Janet Sallah-Njie, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, about the future of the Maputo Protocol, it’s potential for advancing women's rights in Africa, and the challenges that need to be addressed for its full realisation.

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Human Rights, Public Law Adetokunbo Johnson Human Rights, Public Law Adetokunbo Johnson

The Maputo Protocol and Violence against Women in Africa

In spite of the Maputo Protocol's clear prohibition of Violence Against Women (VAW), the ongoing prevalence of violence in Africa has spurred calls for a regional treaty aimed at eradicating such violence. Against this backdrop, Adetokunbo Johnson reflects on the innovation of the Maputo Protocol's explicit VAW prohibition and questions the need for an additional instrument.

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Human Rights, Public Law Kerigo Odada Human Rights, Public Law Kerigo Odada

Financing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Why States Must Renew their Health Financing Commitments in the Maputo Protocol

Reflecting on the progress made since the inception of the Maputo Protocol, Kerigo Odada interrogates how health financing and resource allocation have affected the realisation of reproductive rights in Africa. The author calls on state parties to bridge the gap between political commitment and legal implementation by directing resources towards bolstering reproductive health initiatives as mandated by the Protocol.

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Human Rights, Public Law Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz (2) Human Rights, Public Law Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz (2)

Le Protocole de Maputo et les institutions des droits de l'homme de l'Union africaine

La mise en œuvre du Protocole de Maputo est supervisée par deux institutions des droits de l'homme de l'Union africaine. Dans cet article de blog, Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz nous guide à travers les étapes entreprises par la Commission africaine et la Cour africaine pour superviser la réalisation du Protocole de Maputo.

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Human Rights, Public Law Satang Nabaneh Human Rights, Public Law Satang Nabaneh

Introducing ‘The Maputo Protocol at 20: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward’ Series

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol), ALM will be running a series reflecting on its progress and challenges. We will bring to you blog posts authored by women’s rights experts from the region providing commentary on various aspects of the Protocol.

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Public Law, West Africa, Human Rights Mahima Balaji Public Law, West Africa, Human Rights Mahima Balaji

A Win for LGBT Rights in Namibia

Same-sex unions are currently not performed in Namibia. However, last month, the Namibian Supreme Court held that the Namibian government should recognize same-sex marriages conducted outside Namibian jurisdiction. In this article, Mahima critically analyzes the judgment of the court in Digashu and Others v GRN and Others; Seiler-Lilles v GRN and Others, bringing to the fore human rights issues, and comparativism in judicial reasoning.

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Public Law, East Africa, Human Rights Sylvie Namwase Public Law, East Africa, Human Rights Sylvie Namwase

Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill and the Demise of the Rule of Law

Recently, the Parliament of Uganda passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (AHB) with the objective of establishing, amongst other things, “comprehensive and enhanced legislation to protect the traditional family by strengthening the nation’s capacity to deal with emerging internal and external threats to the traditional heterosexual family.” In this article, Dr. Sylvie Namwase argues that the continued cycle of human rights violations in Uganda falls within the broader context of authoritarian control, and will soon affect other minority groups.

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International Law, Public Law Tracey Kanhanga International Law, Public Law Tracey Kanhanga

Seeking Answers from the World Court: Why it was important for African States to Support Vanuatu’s Draft Resolution

Towards the end of February 2023, Vanuatu and 18 other States formally uploaded the final Draft Resolution requesting an advisory opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This draft resolution was officially adopted on the 29th of March. Dr. Tracey Kanhanga explains why it was important for African States to co-sponsor Vanuatu’s Draft Resolution and vote for its adoption as well as the potential impact that the advisory opinion will have in strengthening domestic climate change regulatory frameworks.

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Constitutional Law, International Law, Public Law Courtney Jones Constitutional Law, International Law, Public Law Courtney Jones

A SLAPP in the Face to the Abuse of Court Processes

A “SLAPP” suit is strategic litigation against public participation and has its origin in the United States of America and Canada. Courtney Jones discusses the application of the SLAPP defence in South African law following the Constitutional Court’s judgment in Mineral Sands Resources (Pty) Ltd v Reddell.

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