SER Publications

A Research Report on the Legal Recognition of Paralegals in Africa: Lessons, Challenges and Good Practices

This report is the outcome of a joint research project by the Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape, and the African Centre of Excellence for Access to Justice in Africa. Paralegals play a critical role in providing legal support and ensuring access to justice for the community, work which they do in the face of numerous challenges. Some of the factors that inhibit access to justice are poverty, illiteracy, the bureaucratic nature of legal systems, and delays in the administration of justice. This executive summary outlines the methodology, findings, and recommendations of the study. This study aims to document the role, functions, challenges and regulation of paralegals in Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Uganda. It has been conducted in conjunction with the ACE-AJ, and it documents good practices that can be replicated in other African countries.

Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Africa: Constraints and Opportunities

This book explores recent developments, constraints and opportunities relating to the advancement of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa.

The Socio-Economic Rights Impact of COVID-19 in Selected Informal Settlements in Cape Town

The report evaluates the human rights consequences of the pandemic and the government palliatives.

The Right to Food of Students in Tertiary Institutions in South Africa

In furtherance of its Access to Food for Students' Project, the Socio-Economic Rights Project at the Dullah Omar Institute recently released a booklet on The Right to Food of Students in Tertiary Institutions in South Africa. The Access to Food for Students' Project forms a part of the Governance programme at the Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE- FS)

Knowing & claiming your right to food, 2nd. edition

This booklet provides an overview of your right to food. (Published: October 2008)

Exploring the link between poverty and human rights in Africa

This book addresses poverty, one of the important issues confronting Africa, from a multi-disciplinary approach. With contributions from eminent scholars from diverse backgrounds, the book explores poverty from a human rights perspective. Its central message is that poverty is not necessarily a failure on the part of an individual, but rather caused by the actions or inactions of governments, which are often exacerbated by structural inequalities in many African societies. This in turn requires a more pragmatic approach grounded in respect for human rights. Exploring the link between poverty and human rights in Africa will be useful to researchers, policymakers, students, activists and others interested in addressing poverty.

Isishwankathelo seEngcebiso ezenzelwe umZantsi Afrika ezivela kwiKomiti yeZizwe eziManyeneyo yaMalungelo eZoqoqosho, eZentlalo neNkcubeko

UMnqophiso waMazwe ngaMazwe waMalungelo eZoqoqosho, eZentlalo kunye neNkcubeko (uMnqophiso) sisivumelwano samalungelo abantu samazwe ngamazwe sombutho waMazwe aManyeneyo (i-UN). Samkelwa ngomhla we-10 kuDisemba 1966 saza saqalisa ukusebenza ngomhla wesi-3 kuJanyuwari 1976. Lo Mnqophiso ukhusela intlaninge yamalungelo ezoqoqosho, ezentlalo nenkcubeko (amalungelo ezentlalo nawoqoqosho). Uhlangene noMnqophiso waMazwe ngaMazwe waMalungelo eZoluntu neZopolitiko (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - ICCPR), nowamkelwa ngaxeshanye, lo Mnqophiso usisiseko somthetho wamalungelo abantu wamazwe ngamazwe kwaye watyikitywa ngamazwe ali-169 ehlabathini liphela. Onke amazwe aseAfika, ngaphandle kweBotswana, iMozambique neSouth Sudan, atyikitya kwaye ke ngoko abophelelekile kulo Mnqophiso. UMzantsi Afrika wawutyikitya lo Mnqophiso ngomhla we-12 kuJanyuwari 2015.

Opsomming van Aanbevelings vir Suid-Afrika deur die Verenigde Nasies se Komitee oor Ekonomiese, Maatskaplike en Kulturele Regte

Die Internasionale Verbond oor Ekonomiese, Maatskaplike en Kulturele Regte (die Verbond) is ’n internasionale menseregteverdrag van die Verenigde Nasies (VN). Dit is op 10 Desember 1966 aanvaar en het op 3 Januarie 1976 van krag geword. Die Verbond beskerm ’n wye reeks ekonomiese, maatskaplike en kulturele regte (sosioekonomiese regte). Saam met die Internasionale Verbond oor Burgerlike en Politieke Regte (ICCPR), wat terselfdertyd aanvaar is, vorm die Verbond die hoeksteen van internasionale wetgewing oor menseregte. Dit is reeds deur 169 lande regoor die wêreld onderskryf en bekragtig. Alle Afrikalande, met die uitsondering van Botswana, Mosambiek en Suid-Soedan, het die Verbond bekragtig en is dus tot die handhawing daarvan verbind. Suid-Afrika het die Verbond op 12 Januarie 2015 bekragtig.