Category: Detention
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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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Combating prison overcrowding and illegal detentions in the Democratic Republic of Congo
In this article published in ASF’s latest annual report, we look back at the situation of detention in the Democratic Republic of Congo (endemic prison overcrowding, endemic violations of prisoners’ fundamental rights, etc.) and the action taken by ASF and its partners to assist people in detention and work for structural and sustainable change in…