Category: Detention
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Democratic Republic of Congo – The Makala prison tragedy of 2 September 2024: Chronicle and causes of a foreseeable tragedy
On 2 September, 129 prisoners were killed in Makala prison in tragic events that we still struggle to qualify. In the midst of this chaos, 268 of the 298 women imprisoned at Makala were victims of rape. This tragedy was foreseeable and is unfortunately not an isolated case in the country. ASF and its partners…
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Morocco – Decriminalising drug use to relieve prison overcrowding and provide better support for users
In Morocco, drug use is still governed by a law dating back to 1974: Dahir No. 1-73-282. Article 8 punishes the use of any substance or plant classified as a narcotic. It provides for a sentence of 2 months’ to one year’s imprisonment and a fine of 500 to 5,000 dirhams (around USD 50 to…
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Legal aid in Kenya: Tracing the evolution, progress and gains
The journey towards establishing a comprehensive legal aid system in Kenya has been long and winding, but due to advocacy efforts by civil society organizations, including ASF’s partner in Kenya, the Legal Resources Foundation Trust (LRF), it culminated in 2016 in the enactment of the Legal Aid Act. In this article, we discuss the progress…
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Tunisia: People in migration threatened by the rise of discriminatory rhetoric and policies
Because of its geographical position and proximity to the European coast, Tunisia has long been considered a major transit country for sub-Saharan migrants. However, heightened security measures and the militarization of the European Union’s borders, as well as border outsourcing policies, have meant that Tunisia has become a country of settlement for many people in…
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Uganda – Knowledge, attitudes and practices on pre-trial detention
ASF just published a report that explores the level of knowledge, the attitudes and practices of key stakeholders towards pre-trial detention under the criminal justice system in Uganda. It sheds light on the root causes of violations of procedural and constitutional rights. With this evidence base, the report provides recommendations for action and positive reforms…
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ExPEERience Talk #12 – Pre-trial detention in Uganda: Learnings from a study on knowledge, attitudes and practices
During this ExPEERience Talk #12, ASF’s team in Uganda will present the resutlts of a soon-to-be-published report on knowledge, attitudes and practices about pre-trial detention in Uganda.
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National Dialogue on safeguarding procedural and constitutional rights for pre-trial detainees in Uganda: A reflection on challenges and opportunities
This dialogue will bring together actors from Uganda police force, Uganda prison service, Judiciary, Office of the director of public prosecutions, parliament, members of civil society, academia, development partners, project advocates and paralegals. It will be an opportunity to address the challenges affecting the enforcement of procedural rights in the administration of criminal justice in…
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East Africa – Protecting civic space: A public interest litigation approach
In 2022, ASF’s East Africa office launched a project covering three countries in the region: Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda. The objective of the project is to contribute to the advancement of the rule of law through the understanding and usage of regional human rights treaty bodies, mechanisms and instruments by local civil societies organisations.
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ASF’s East Africa regional hub
In recent years, ASF has progressively adopted a regional approach to its activities in East Africa. To lead the organisation development in the region and enable the implementation of strong and coherent regional strategies, a regional hub was created in Kampala in 2021.
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ExPEERience Talk #11 – Decriminalising poverty, status and activism: a global emergency, an international campaign
This 11th ExPEERience Talk will be devoted to the Campaign for the Decriminalisation of Poverty, Status and Activism. Several of its members will present its history and how it operates. They will discuss the challenges encountered and the opportunities presented by the networking of a multiplicity of actors to tackle a global and systemic issue…