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South Africa Has Two “K-words” - But Only One Tests Our Commitment to Dignity
In this week’s post Dr. Anthony Kaziboni argues that the pejorative term ‘kwerekwere’ constitutes hate speech and should receive the same condemnation and reprobation as the other ‘k-word’ given the vulnerability of foreign nationals in society.
Kenya’s Sharpeville Moment? June 25 and the Road Ahead
In this week’s post, In this week’s article, Ben Nyabira reflects on the second anniversary of Kenya’s June 25 Gen Z-led protests and examines whether they can become a catalyst for lasting democratic transformation. Drawing insightful parallels with South Africa’s Sharpeville protests, he explores the movement’s achievements, challenges, and enduring significance for governance, accountability, and human rights. The article asks whether June 25 will ultimately be remembered as a turning point in Kenya’s democratic journey or a missed opportunity for reform.
Nationally Determined Contributions and Discretion: Five lessons from the International Court of Justice
In this week’s post, Melanie Jean Murcott and Brewsters Caiphas Soyapi set out five lessons from the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Climate Change that are of relevance to African states in determining their obligations in respect of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).They argue that on the whole the Paris Agreement should be understood as an instrument requiring States to exercise disciplined discretion in response to the realities of an increasingly warming planet.
Human Dignity has no nationality: Xenophobia, Constitutionalism and the Struggle for Justice in South Africa
Sharon Ekambaram argues that the Constitution confers rights on everyone within South Africa’s borders and as such human dignity has no nationality. Hers is a call to action agaist xenophobic vigilantism and the betrayal of ubuntu.
The Constitutional Right to Food in South Africa: What Lived Realities Reveal about Gaps in Law and Practice
In this week’s contribution, Yvonne reflects on the gap between the constitutional right to food and the lived realities of hunger and food insecurity in South Africa. Drawing on submissions made to the National Inquiry into the Food Systems of South Africa conducted by the South African Human Rights Commission, the article explores the structural causes of food insecurity, including inadequate wages, corporate concentration in the food system, unequal land ownership, and weaknesses in social protection. The piece also considers the legal and policy gaps that continue to undermine the realisation of the right to food, and calls for stronger accountability, improved enforcement, and more coordinated governance responses.
Protection on Paper: The Failures of Egypt's Asylum Law No. 164/202
In this week’s post Amy Raymond examines Egypt’s Asylum Law No. 164/2024. She argues that, despite being the country’s first domestic asylum law, it falls short of international refugee and human rights standards. The article explores the law’s failure to guarantee non-refoulement, its restrictions on fundamental rights, and the criminalisation of assistance to asylum seekers. Amy further analyses how the law’s structural weaknesses have contributed to an escalating crackdown on refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt.
Africa's Climate Advisory Opinion: Framing Rights Through a Decolonial Lens
In this post, Bhavya Johari explores how the African Court of Human and People’s Rights climate advisory opinion presents a special jurisprudential opportunity to articulate climate obligations not through mitigation burdens, but through the protection of collective rights and the decolonisation of resource governance.
Language Rights, Transformation and the Constitution: What AfriForum v University of the Free State Still Teaches Us
In this week’s post, Professor Roxan Laubscher analyses the Constitutional Court’s approach to language rights in higher education, focusing on AfriForum v University of the Free State and related cases. The article examines how transformation, equality, and access have shaped judicial interpretation of section 29(2), and questions the impact of this approach on multilingualism, indigenous languages, and inclusive language policy in South Africa.
Reparative Justice in South Africa’s Socio-Economic Rights Jurisprudence
In this week’s post, Sandra Liebenberg unpacks her recent CCR article, which examines how the interpretation and adjudication of socio-economic rights can advance reparative justice in response to the deep patterns of socio-economic disadvantage and inequality produced by historical injustices such as colonialism and apartheid.
The Essential Resilience of Local Civil Society in Sudan
In this week’s post, Elizabeth Graham demonstrates how in light of the prevailing conflict, catastrophic humanitarian crisis and international neglect, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Sudan can play an essential and life-saving role in advancing fundamental economic and social rights such as the right to an adequate standard of living, access to food, medicine and other life-saving services.
A Commentary on the Provisions of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa
In this post, Dr. Omotunde Enigbokan explains the importance of creating a detailed legal commentary on the Kampala Convention to help African states and institutions better understand, interpret, and implement its provisions for protecting and assisting internally displaced persons, as well as improving accountability, monitoring, and practical application across the continent.
How the Designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern May Affect Asylum Seekers and Refugees
in this post, Victor Obinna Chukwuma examines the recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by President Trump, particularly how this label may shape the experiences of Nigerian asylum seekers and refugees. While much of the public debate has centered on diplomatic and political implications, the article shifts the focus to the vulnerable individuals whose safety and legal standing may hinge on how this designation is interpreted and applied across international protection systems.
The Protocol is Now in Force: What Next for the Rights of Older Persons in Africa
In commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons, Dr. Lydia Chibwe reflects on the landmark entry into force of the Older Persons Protocol, the first legally binding regional instrument protecting the rights of older Africans. While its adoption marks historic progress, she underscores that the real challenge lies in implementation—through domestication, funding, monitoring, and tackling ageism. She further stresses that governments, civil society, and regional bodies must work together to ensure the Protocol moves beyond ratification and meaningfully transforms the lives of millions.
Spotlighting Female Genital Mutilation: An Insidious Human Rights Crisis
In this post, Amanda Quest examines the failure to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM) in Africa. In doing so, she highlights the gap between legal and policy frameworks and lived experiences due to patriarchal values in several African countries, which persist despite FGM being outlawed. She argues that community-level interventions coupled with economic empowerment for women and girls are essential to overcome FGM in Africa.
Protecting Women in Conflict: Accelerating Action on the Maputo Protocol’s Commitments to Peace and Security
In this week’s post, Lydia and Sheryl highlight the urgent need to protect women and girls in conflict zones across Africa by accelerating the implementation of the Maputo Protocol’s peace and security commitments. The duo observes that despite strong legal frameworks, gender-based violence remains widespread, accountability is rare, and survivors are left unsupported. Drawing on recent conflicts in Cameroon, Somalia, DRC, Sudan, and more, Lydia and Sheryl reveal the troubling gap between promise and practice—and call on African governments and institutions to take concrete, gender-responsive action to ensure peace processes and post-conflict recovery truly serve the needs of women and girls.
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