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This report highlights the impact of criminal, security and other exceptional laws and policies that are deemed discriminatory, exclusionary, and incompatible with international human rights standards in select Francophone and Lusophone African countries, notably, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mozambique. The countries were chosen due to their distinct legal traditions, each shaped by different colonial legacies, which adds depth to the comparative analysis. In each country, archaic laws remain embedded within their Penal Codes, many of which have little relevance in today’s context. In addition, newer laws have been introduced and are actively enforced by local and national governments, often with a discriminatory impact particularly on marginalised groups. In addition to examining criminal, security, and exceptional laws, the country reports also explore the historical and political context, constitutional and legislative reforms over the past 25 years, the broader legal framework, relevant regional and international human rights instruments, and the roles of oversight and monitoring bodies.

This book will be of value to scholars working in the areas of legal pluralism and postcolonialism and others with interest in criminal justice.

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 to explore the theme: “Decriminalising Status and Activism”. The meeting provided a unique opportunity for campaign members to learn lessons from successful litigation and advocacy approaches; explore emerging themes around the criminalization of status and activism; and develop trans-regional, multi-national and national litigation and advocacy strategies. This report presents a summary of the discussions.

Cape Declaration on Decriminalising Poverty and Status, adopted by consensus by the participants of the convening of the Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status held in Stellenbosch, South Africa between 27 and 29 September 2022.

Officers of Western Cape’s anticrime programme work closely with police and they often have joint operations

By L Muntingh, J Mangwanda, K Petersen, T Lorizzo and V Petrovic

In a series of five Issue Papers, Lukas Muntingh and Jean Redpath take a few steps back and ask whether we are indeed problematising the correct issues and, if so, are we problematising the issue in a manner that will restore trust and thus legitimacy in the NPA. From this position we can also examine our current and future expectations of the NPA.

The Detention Justice Forum (DJF) released a statement in response to the findings of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Service on solitary confinement in South African prisons.