CSPRI researcher argues for decriminalisation of outdated, petty offences in Africa

CSPRI researcher, Kristen Petersen, presented findings of research which sets out the arguments and evidence for the decriminalisation and declassification of petty offences.

This took place at the West, Central and North African Consultation on the Zero Draft Principles on the Declassification and Decriminalisation of Petty Offences in Africa which took place on 20 and 21 February 2017 in Dakar, Senegal. CSPRI is a partner to the campaign on the declassification and decriminalising of petty offences on the continent. (See the website: http://pettyoffences.org/). As one of the campaign partners, CSPRI conducted continental research on the existence of these petty laws and found that many of them are arbitrary in nature, date back to the colonial era and disproportionately targets poor and marginalised people.

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