The purpose of this study is to briefly examine major developments in Burundi’s criminal procedure legislation and prison laws since the adoption of its 2005 Constitution and to assess how these developments may have impacted on human rights. In effect, this study seeks to understand whether subordinate legislation in Burundi is in line with constitutional provisions and international standards relating to procedural safeguards for arrested and detained persons.
Paralegals have an important role to play in criminal justice systems throughout Africa. In many countries the effective use of paralegals is inhibited by a lack of formal recognition. Changes to domestic legislative frameworks are necessary to empower paralegals in their work with persons in conflict with the law at police stations, court rooms and prisons.It is hoped that this report will serve as an impetus for debate and advocacy on this important issue. This report reviews the work and legal framework of paralegals in 11 countries, being Burundi, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
This review seeks to showcase innovative interventions to reduce pre-trial detention in African countries, so that they may be adapted for use in other low and lower-middle income countries.
This paper sets out the arguments and evidence for the decriminalisation and declassification of petty offences. Report by Lukas Muntingh and Kristen Petersen
Armchair discussion on the National Prosecuting Authority, 22 November 2016, Jean Redpath
Submitted to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in response to South Africa’s Second Periodic Report under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to be reviewed at the 58th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Submitted to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in response to South Africa’s Second Periodic Report under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to be reviewed at the 58th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
National Prosecuting Authority says there are more resolutions via the alternative dispute resolution mechanism
This overview of cross cutting issues emanates from five alternate thematic reports submitted by civil society organisations (the Alternate Reports) in response to the Initial Report by South Africa (the State Report), to be reviewed by the UN Human Rights Committee during its 116th session. The Alternate Reports which provided the basis for this overview are: Recognition of Civil and Political Rights: A continued struggle for Transgender and Intersex Persons in South Africa Shadow Report on Participatory Democracy to South Africa’s State Report and their Responses to the List Of Issues On The International Covenant On Civil And Political Rights (ICCPR) Thematic Report on Criminal Justice and Human Rights in South Africa Thematic Report on the Rights of Migrants and Asylum Seekers in South Africa Thematic Report on Violence Against Women and LGBTI Persons in South Africa
Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee in response to the Initial Report by South Africa under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights at the 116th session of the Human Rights Committee
This discussion paper arose from the conundrum faced by a paralegal organisation working in an African country in demonstrating both that pre-trial detention is a problem in that country, and that their work has an impact on the problem. The indicators currently employed by states and organisations relating to pre-trial detention have a range of shortcomings in the African context. These shortcomings need to be understood in interpreting indicator values. Indicators should be adjusted, and additional indicators should be incorporated into data collection practice in order to provide a more complete and accurate picture of pre-trial detention in Africa. This paper is intended as a starting point for a broader discussion of the pitfalls and possibilities for the development of indicators in relation to pre-trial detention in Africa
This discussion paper arose from the conundrum faced by a paralegal organisation working in an African country in demonstrating both that pre-trial detention is a problem in that country, and that their work has an impact on the problem. The indicators currently employed by states and organisations relating to pre-trial detention have a range of shortcomings in the African context. These shortcomings need to be understood in interpreting indicator values. Indicators should be adjusted, and additional indicators should be incorporated into data collection practice in order to provide a more complete and accurate picture of pre-trial detention in Africa. This paper is intended as a starting point for a broader discussion of the pitfalls and possibilities for the development of indicators in relation to pre-trial detention in Africa
Constitutionality of Criminal Procedure and Prison Laws in Africa: Burundi
