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CALS and R2P host Anti-Repression Week 2024

- Lee-Anne Bruce

CALS and the Right2Protest Project host the second annual Anti-Repression Week from 18 - 20 November 2024

The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) and the Right2Protest Project (R2P) will host the second annual Anti-Repression Week from 18 – 20 November 2024. This event aims to raise awareness and mobilise action against the increasing suppression of dissent in South Africa. We take the opportunity to highlight the work our organisations undertake to protect human rights defenders trying to exercise their right to protest and freedom of expression.

In recent years, threats and attacks on human rights defenders and journalists speaking out on matters of public interest have increased dramatically. Activists from all over the world have had to endure repressive tactics that aim to silence their voices. They experience death threats, physical violence, harassment, surveillance, frivolous lawsuits and unlawful detention and arrests.  

CALS and R2P are working to counter this shrinking of civic space. Next week, we are hosting the second annual Anti-Repression Week in partnership with Constitution Hill and The Forge. This event brings together all stakeholders to reflect on the shrinking civic space of human rights defenders, to present strategies and tools to address activist repression and the effect of the shrinking space on the rights to protest and freedom of expression in South Africa.

The event will run from 18 – 20 November 2024. Key highlights of the week will be the launch of the long version of CALS’ Anti-SLAPP Model Law, a free legal clinic and various panel discussions on repression and its impacts. One of CALS’ flagship projects is addressing strategic litigation against public participation – otherwise known as “SLAPP” suits. The Model Law aims to serve as example of legislation needed to protect activists and journalists threatened with this kind of malicious litigation. The various panel discussions will bring together activists and legal experts to discuss a transnational approach to resisting repression and creating solidarity. Various public interest law organisations will also be participating in the legal clinic to provide free legal services to members of the public.

Key themes for this year’s Anti-Repression Week include:

  • Gendered threats of repression;
  • Criminalisation of freedom of expression and assembly;
  • Private security’s role in repression;
  • Governance challenges that stifle activism;
  • Promoting the protection of women human rights defenders; and
  • Solidarity networks across borders.

“We hope that Anti-Repression Week will continue to create a positive impact, shape public discourse around activist repression and influence the development of more robust legal protections for human rights defenders,” says Sithuthukile Mkhize, head of Civil and Political Justice at CALS.

For inquiries, please contact:

From the Centre for Applied Legal Studies:

From the Right2Protest Project:

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