CALS Quarterly Issue 26
- Lee-Anne Gaertner
Read the latest issue of our quarterly newsletter and catch up on our recent highlights
On 3 and 4 December, CALS was one of the proud hosts of the annual Public Interest Law Gathering, where the social justice sector comes together to exchange skills, share ideas and discuss strategies for advancing justice in an increasingly challenging context in South Africa. This year’s theme – ‘The new possibilities and challenges presented by a Government of National Unity’ – saw insightful presentations and panel discussions on key issues ranging from the pursuit of environmental justice to advancing the right to education as well as promoting access to healthcare. Our Home, Land & Rural Democracy programme participated in panels on food security and access to water.
In litigation news, the Gender Justice team appeared last week in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court for an application for leave to appeal the conviction and sentencing of a domestic violence survivor. The matter was unfortunately postponed due to water and electricity issues at court, which nonetheless made the news. We also recently appeared in the High Court in Mahikeng for two interdicts brought by a mining company against environmental activists in an attempt to silence them through what we argue amount to strategic litigation against public participation – or ‘SLAPP’ suits. This matter was also postponed and will resume in January.
Our work on activist repression has also seen the Civil & Political Justice programme team up with the Right2Protest Project for the second annual Anti-Repression Week under the banner ‘Uniting voices, fighting repression’ at the end of November. The event brought together human rights defenders, civil society organisations and academics for a free legal clinic, the launch of our Anti-SLAPP Model Law and various engaging panel discussions on activism, building resilience and countering repression.
Finally, we are pleased to welcome our new Director, Dr Christopher Gevers, who will be joining us from January 2025. Click the image below for more about this appointment and our other recent updates. As always, we express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has partnered with us as well as those who have supported our work throughout the year. We wish you happy holidays and look forward to continuing the important work of promoting human rights and reshaping justice in 2025.
