Topic: Freedom of expression
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East African Law Society v. AG Uganda, and the Secretary General of the East African Community
This case addresses a shutdown orchestrated by the Ugandan government during the general elections in January 2021, during which its citizens’ rights to access information and free speech, among others, were violated when all access to the internet – including social media platforms – was blocked throughout the country.
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Ado Shaibu and 5 others v. United Republic of Tanzania
The case discusses the violation of seven Tanzanian citizens’ right to participate in the general elections in Tanzania, after several forms of repression were carried out by different public agents, including the blocking of news outlets and social media apps like Twitter and WhatsApp. The actions of the Tanzanian authorities had the calculated effect of…
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Unwanted Witness v. Uganda Communications Commission and the Attorney General of Uganda
This case addresses a directive by the Uganda Communications Commission that seeks to establish registration of online and digital platforms disclosing the identity of its users, which would act as a de facto registration for journalists, bloggers, and activists. Unwanted Witness, a civil society organization in Uganda, filed a complaint before the Constitutional Court of…
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Action of unconstitutionality against the reform to Honduras’ Penal Code
On May 10, 2020, the new Criminal Code entered into force in Honduras, through Decree no. 130-2017. This legal instrument includes several criminal offenses that criminalize journalism and the defense of human rights, and limit the right to information, freedom of expression, and the right to protest. Several actions of unconstitutionality against it are pending…
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Peace Community of San José de Apartadó Case
The Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó (Peace Community of San José de Apartadó) is known for its neutrality in the face of the internal armed conflict and the extreme violence against it during that time. In May 2021, the Sala Plena de la Corte Constitucional (Plenary Session of the Constitutional Court) ratified…
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Kushal Devi Seenauth-Sohun v. The Commissioner of Police and Others
This case discusses the unlawful arrest, detention, and imprisonment of Kushal Devi Seenauth-Sohun over a Facebook post criticizing the government’s actions towards the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Center for Strategic Litigation & another v. Tanzania
The case discusses the Tanzanian government’s attempts to block citizens’ access to justice by suppressing the activities of civil society organizations that engage in public interest litigation. It addresses that part of the Basic Rights and Duties Enforcement Act as amended by the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendment) No.3 Act of 2020 are unconstitutional, for violating…
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Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Media Institute of Southern Africa v. The Minister of State in the President’s office responsible for National Security and others
On January 14, 2019, the Zimbabwe government imposed an internet shutdown in response to protests that erupted after the president raised fuel prices by 150 percent. The shutdown lasted for a week, which prompted the NGOs Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Media Institute of Southern Africa to file a case before the High Court…