CALS Quarterly Issue 32
- Lee-Anne Gaertner
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As we move deeper into the year, the struggle for social justice continues to demand vigilance, solidarity and principled action. At CALS, we remain committed to defending constitutional rights, challenging systemic inequality and ensuring that the voices of marginalised communities are heard in our courts, legislature and public discourse. This quarter has seen several significant interventions that reflect the breadth of our work and the pressing human rights issues confronting South Africa, the continent and the world today.
This month, we joined partners across civil society to oppose proposed amendments to the Prevention of Illegal Evictions (PIE) Act that risk criminalising land occupation and further withdrawing resources from people experiencing homelessness. We also appeared before the Western Cape High Court as a friend of the court in litigation that raises important questions about the right to freedom of expression. At the same time, CALS has stood alongside dozens of organisations and individuals in condemning rising , the unlawful treatment of migrants and the intimidation and violence directed at these vulnerable communities.
We also reflect on two important Constitutional Court judgments that speak to accountability and the protection of our democracy. The first clarifies the powers of the and its role in safeguarding human rights, while the other orders to repay profits derived from an unlawful contract to pay social grants. Together, these decisions underscore the importance of strong public institutions and continued scrutiny of both state and private actors entrusted with constitutional obligations.
Finally, we have engaged on a number of key issues in the realm of international law. Prof Christopher Gevers recently participated in a High Level Consultative Conference on the Next Steps to the Landmark United Nations Resolution on the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans held in Ghana. Our Business and Human Rights team also co-hosted the 8th annual African Regional Indaba on the United Nations Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights. The discussion brought together key stakeholders from afftected communities to state representatives ahead of the next round of negotiations in October.
Beyond our litigation and advocacy work, we celebrate the growth of public interest law and the achievements of those advancing social justice. We look back on the final rounds of the sixth annual , which brought together talented law students to engage with complex questions on public participation. We also extend our warmest congratulations to our acting deputy director, Thuto Gabaphethe, on graduating with an LLM from Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ University. His achievement reflects the commitment, scholarship and leadership that continue to strengthen CALS and the broader struggle for justice in South Africa.
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