SER Publications

POLICY BRIEF: Leveraging Public Food Procurement for Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) Prevention in South Africa: Responsibilities and Opportunities

With South Africa facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, public food procurement offers a powerful lever to tackle all forms of malnutrition. This policy brief draws on research into the legal and policy frameworks that shape public food procurement in the country. The key question is no longer whether public food procurement should support broader socio-economic goals, but how to align it effectively with human rights and national development priorities. Strengthening public food procurement for the prevention of non-communicable diseases is not only a constitutional obligation—it is also a strategic opportunity.

In-Depth Case Analysis on the Decision of The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Community Law Centre and Others (On Behalf of The Five Victims) v Federal Republic of Nigeria (Communication 564 of 2015)

The Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network (KELIN), the Dullah Omar Institute for Constitutional Law, Governance and Human Rights at the University of the Western Cape (DOI); the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), and the Centre for Human Rights (CHR) have developed this analysis in response to the decision of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Community Law Centre and Others (on behalf of the Five Victims) v. Federal Republic of Nigeria (Communication 564 of 2015) [2024].

A research report project on the legal status of community paralegals in selected francophone countries: lessons, challenges and good practices

This research report is the outcome of a joint research project between the Dullah Omar Institute and the African Centre of Excellence for Access to Justice in Africa (ACE-AJ). This project documented the role, functions, challenges and regulation of paralegals in Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire and Senegal.

Projet de rapport de recherche sur le statut juridique des parajuristes communautaires dans certains pays francophones: leçons, défis et bonnes pratiques practices [French version]

This research report is the outcome of a joint research project between the Dullah Omar Institute and the African Centre of Excellence for Access to Justice in Africa (ACE-AJ). This project documented the role, functions, challenges and regulation of paralegals in Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire and Senegal.

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)