LEGAL GROUNDS: Reproductive and Sexual Rights in Sub-Saharan African Courts

Flyer with Table of Contents.     Printed book, 228-pages, online here.  

Legal Grounds III, Online edition, with updates and links to decisions:

Cover and preliminaries
Table of Contents
Table of Cases (2008-2016) by Country
Foreword,  by Charles G. Ngwena 

Chapter One: Introduction  

Chapter Two: Children and Adolescents

Child, Forced and Early Marriage

• Mudzuru & Another v Ministry of Justice, Legal & Parliamentary Affairs (N.O.) & Others (Const. Application No. 79/14) [2015] ZWCC 12 (20 January 2016);  Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe outlawed child marriage under 18 years old.]J
• Nvumeleni Jezile v The State and 7 Others [2015], High Court Case No. A 127/2014 (High Court of South Africa, Western Cape Division, Cape Town). Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Customary marriage practices are not justification for abduction and rape of a girl of 14.] 
  
• *Rebeca Z. Gyumi v The Attorney General, Miscellaneous Civil Cause No. 5 of 2016, High Court of Tanzania at Dar es Salaam.  Date of Judgment: 8/7/2016, Decision online.  Decision PDF.  Comment by Rebeca Gyumi's NGO.   Comment by Godfrey Kangaude.  Article by N. Msuya  [Third party consent to marriage of girls under 18 is unconstitutional] .
• *Attorney General vs Rebeca Z. Gyumi (Civil Appeal No.204 of 2017) [2019] TZCA 348; (23 October 2019) Decision online.  Decision PDF.   [Tanzanian Court of Appeals upheld decision of 2016.]
  
• *APDF & IHRDA v Republic of Mali (App. no. 046/2016) [2018] AfCHPR 15; (11 May 2018) (African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights) Decision online. Decision PDF.   Case Comment by George Sakyi Asumadu**  [Customary child marriage provisions in Mali 's Family Code violate age of marriage and consent rights.]  . 
  
• Highlight: "Child Marriage: Legal and Socio-Cultural Aspects"

Female Genital Mutilation

• Law and Advocacy for Women in Uganda v The Attorney General [2010] UGCC 4, Constitutional Petition No. 8 of 2007 (Constitutional Court of Uganda at Kampala). Decision online.  Decision in PDF [Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) prohibited as unconstitutional] 

Sexual Abuse, Assault and Violence

• *APDF & IHRDA on behalf of A.S. (a minor) v. Republic of MALI(African Union, ACERWC, Communication No.: 0013/Com/001/2020 Admissibility decision July 14, 2021 Admissibility decision in French (11 pages).  Backup copy.  Decision on the Merits in French (26 pages)  Backup copy, communicated to the Plaintiffs  June 7, 2023.   Press release in English by IHRDA.  [ACERWC urged Mali to prosecute child rapist.]  
• C.K. (A Child) through Ripples International as her guardian and Next friend) & 11 Others v Commissioner of Police/Inspector General of The National Police Service & 3 Others [2013] eKLR, Petition No. 8 of 2012 (High Court of Kenya at Meru). Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Court holds police accountable for inaction in child sexual assaults]. 
  
• W.J. & Another v Astarikoh Henry Amkoah & 9 Others [2015] eKLR, Petition No. 331 of 2011 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi, (Constitutional and Human Rights Division). Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [high school teacher rapist].
• Highlight: Sexual Abuse, Assault and Violence
• For more cases of child defilement in Africa, see the forthcoming ACERWC database.

Consensual Sexual Conduct

• C.K.W. v Attorney General & Another [2014] eKLR, Petition 6 of 2013 (High Court of Kenya at Eldoret).  Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Court upholds criminalisation of adolescent consensual sex, ignores gender bias in the law.]
• S v. Brian M. [surname editorially abridged]  [2015] ZWHHC 106, CRB No. B467/14 (High Court of Zimbabwe at Harare). Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [Sentence reduced for adolescent sex.]
  
• Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children and Another v Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and Another [2013], Case No. 73300/10 [2013] ZAGPPHC 1 (North Gauteng High Court, South Africa).  Decision online. Decision PDF.  [High Court proposes decriminalisation of adolescent consensual sexual conduct.]   
• Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children and Another v Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and Another(CCT 12/13) [2013] ZACC 35;  (Constitutional Court, South Africa). Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Laws criminalising adolescent consensual sexual conduct suspended, pending review by Parliament.]
• *Martin C. v. Republic,  Criminal Appeal No. 32 of 2015, April 26, 2016 (High Court of Kenya at Malindi). Decision online. Decision PDF. Discussed in this article by Godfrey Kangaude. [Consensual sexual relationship between adult man of 23 and girl of 14 is not "defilement." ] 
  
• *The State v. CF (A Juvenile)  HH  143-11,  CRB  5,320/10  July  21,  2011  (High  Court  of  Zimbabwe). Decision online. Decision PDF  Discussed in this article by Godfrey Kangaude..
  .(Adolescent male cannot be convicted of consensual sex).  
  Highlight: Adolescent Consensual Sexual Conduct  

Student Pregnancy

• Head of Department,  Department of Education, Free State Province v Welkom High School & Another; Head of Department,  Department of Education, Free State Province v Harmony High School & Another [2013] ZACC 25 (Constitutional Court of South Africa).  Decision online.  Decision PDF [Expulsion of pregnant learners violates fundamental rights]  .

Chapter Three: Maternal Health Care and Services

• The Center for Health Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) and 3 Others v Attorney General [5 June 2012], Constitutional Petition No. 16 of 2011,  (Constitutional Court of Uganda at Kampala). Decision online. Decision PDF.  [Preventable maternal deaths were dismissed as a "political question".  This dismissal was overturned by 2015 Supreme Court decision, then decided in 2020, see both judgments below]

• The Center for Health, Human Rights and Development and 3 Others v Attorney General [30 October 2015], Constitutional Appeal No. 01 of 2013  (Supreme Court of Uganda at Kampala), Judgments by Kisaakye, JSC and Katureebe, CJ.   Decision online. Decision PDF.    [Uganda Supreme Court orders Constitutional Court to hear a petition on maternal health rights violations.] 
  

• The Center for Health Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) and 3 Others v Attorney General [19 August 2020],Constitutional Petition No. 16 of 2011 (Constitutional Court of Uganda at Kampala). Decision online.   Decision PDF.  Download PDF from CEHURD.  Abstract on blog. [Court found a violation of the rights to health, life, gender equality and freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment, for the preventable deaths in childbirth of two women.]
  

• The Center for Health, Human Rights and Development & 4 Others  v Nakaseke District Local Administration [17 June 2015], Civil Suit No. 111 of 2012 (High Court of Uganda at Kampala). Decision PDF.   Abstract by ESCR.[Ugandan High Court finds human rights violations where a pregnant woman died of a ruptured uterus and blood loss while in labour.]

• Millicent Awuor Omuya alias Maimuna Awuor & Another v The Attorney General & 4 Others [17 September 2015], Petition No. 562 of 2012, Decision online.  Decision PDF. (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi (Constitutional and Human Rights Division)). [Detaining women for failing to pay for maternal health services is a violation of their constitutional rights]  

• Ntsele v Mec for Health, Gauteng Provincial Government [24 October 2012] ZAGPJHC 208  (South Gauteng High Court, South Africa)   Decision online.  Decision PDF.[Medical negligence during labour damaged child's brain]
  
  
• *J O O (also known as J M) v Attorney General & 6 others [22 March 2018] Petition No 5 of 2014, (High Court of Kenya at Bungoma).  March 22, 2018. Decision online.  Decision PDF. Case comment by Naitore Nyamu,** [Neglect, abuse and humiliation of pregnant woman at county hospital.] [Unsuccessfully appealed below]
  
  
• *County Government of Bungoma & 2 Others v. Josephine Oundo Ongwen (a.k.a. Josephine Majani) & 2 Others (Kenya Civil Appeal No. 61 of 2018) Decision of February 23, 2024.  Decision onlline.  Decision PDF  Press release from CRR.  (Kenya Court of Appeal) [Court dismissed an appeal, affirming the J O O decision of 2018.] 
  
  
• *Community Law Centre and Three Others on behalf on the Five Victims v. Federal Republic of Nigeria. (2024) Communication 564 of 2015, [2023] ACHPR 1 (session of 3-23 May 2023)  (African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights),  Decision online. Decision PDF.   Abstract and article by Ebenezer Durojaye and Nkatha Murungi.[Despite evidence of high maternal mortality and obstetric violence in Nigeria, the Commission did not find violations of the African Charter and the African Women’s Protocol arising from the complaints made.]  

• Highlight: Maternal Health Care and Services
  
  

Chapter Four: Abortion and Fetal Interests

Abortion

• Case no. RPA 0787/15/HC/KIG (High Court of Rwanda, Kigali) [2015] Unreported, . [legal abortion allowed for raped 13-year-old].  Official English translation (redacted).    Decision PDF.
• Mildred Mapingure v Minister Of Home Affairs and 2 Others [2014], Judgment No. SC 22/14, Civil Appeal No. SC 406/12 (Supreme Court of Zimbabwe). Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [State held liable for hindering access to emergency contraception, but not abortion]  
• Republic v Jackson Namunya Tali [2014] eKLR, High Court Criminal Case No. 75 of 2009 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi).  Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [Court convicts nurse of murder over abortion related death.].
  
• *Republic v. Jackson Namunya Tali, [2017] Criminal Appeal No. 173 of 2016. Decision dated October 19, 2017. (Court of Appeal, Kenya)) Decision online.    Decision PDF.   Press release by CRR.  [Nurse in pregnancy complications case is acquitted after 8 years awaiting death penalty.]
• *Federation of Women Lawyers (Fida – Kenya) & 3 others v Attorney General & 2 others; East Africa Center for Law & Justice & 6 others (Interested Party) & Women’s Link Worldwide & 2 others (Amicus Curiae) [2019] eKLR, Petition No. 266 of 2015, Decision dated June 12, 2019.  (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi, Constitutional and Human Rights Division) Decision online.  Decision PDF.  Case Comment by Benson Chakaya**   Case Comment by Nimrod Muhumuza. [Landmark Case of "JMM," wrongful withdrawal of abortion training and guidelines, clarified that abortion is legal after rape] 
• *The State (On the Application by HM (Guardian) on behalf of CM (Minor) vs The Hospital Director of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital & The Minister of Health [2021] Judicial Review Cause Number 03 of 2021 (unreported) (High Court of Malawi, Zomba District Registry), Decision dated June 15, 2021.   Decision online (slow download).  Decision PDF..  Overview on Reprohealthlaw Blog.  Legal Brief by Lewis Bande and Godfrey Kangaude.  Chapter by Godfrey Kangaude and Lewis Bande.   [In Malawi's first abortion-related ruling, a pregnant girl is denied judicial review of abortion refusal by hospital staff.]
  
• *PAK & Salim Mohammed v. Attorney General & 3 Others (Constitutional Petition E009 of 2020) [2022] KEHC 262 (KLR) (24 March 2022) (High Court of Kenya at Malindi)  Decision online.   Decision PDF.    Press release by CRR. [Abortion care is a fundamental constitutional right. Arrests of patients and clinicians are illegal. Parliament is directed to align law and policy with the Constitution.]

• *Women in Law in Southern Africa, Talent Forget v. Minister of Health and Child Care and the Parliament of the Republic of Zimbabwe and The Attorney General of Zimbabwe  (2024), HH 552-24, HC 7364/23, 28 February & 22 November 2024 (High Court of Zimbabwe at Harare).  Decision online.  Decision PDF.  Comment by Afya na Haki network.[Section 2(1) of The Termination of Pregnancy Act, which defines “unlawful intercourse” to exclude sexual intercourse with minors and marital rape, is unconstitutional because it imposes custodial sentences on women in those situations who choose to abort.]   

• Highlight: Abortion and Fetal Interests

Wrongful Birth or Life

• AAA v Registered Trustees (Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi) [2015] eKLR, Civil Case No. 3 of 2013 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi (Civil Division)). Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [Damages awarded for failure of contraception, including the cost of rearing and educating an unplanned child]  
• E. R.O. v  Board Of Trustees, Family Planning Association of Kenya [2013] eKLR, Civil Case 788 of 2000 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi)  Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [Pregnancy after tubal ligation - not proven]  
• H v Fetal Assessment Centre [2014] ZACC 34 (Constitutional Court of South Africa)  Decision online. Decision PDF. ["wrongful life" claim]  

Chapter Five: Adoption and Surrogacy

Adoption

• GK  v. BOK,  CGLK,  MT  and  the  Attorney General [2015] BWHC 1, MAHGB-000291-14 (High Court of Botswana) Decision online.   Decision PDF. [Father's consent required for adoption, even out of wedlock] 
• Highlight: Adoption and Surrogacy

Surrogacy

• AB and Surrogacy Advisory Group v Minister of Social Development [2015] ZAGPPHC 580 (Gauteng High Court of South Africa)  Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Surrogate motherhood requires genetic link.] 
  

• *AB and Surrogacy Advisory Group v. the Minister of Social Development.   Decision online.  Decision PDF.   (Abstract by Karabo Ozah),  CCT 155/15, decided November 29, 2016 (Constitutional Court of South Africa)  (Centre for Child Law as Amicus Curiae) [Genetic-link requirement for surrogacy is constitutional.]

• Ex Parte: MS and Others [2014] ZAGPPHC 457 (North Gauteng, High Court of South Africa)   Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Surrogate motherhood requires court authorization.]  
• J.L.N. & 2 Others v Director of Children's Services & 4 Others [2014] eKLR, Petition No. 78 of 2014 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi (Constitutional and Human Rights Division).  Decision online. Decision PDF. [Twins born to surrogate withheld by Hospital until birth certificate was resolved.] 
• MIA v State Information Technology Agency (Pty) Ltd  [2015] ZALCD 20 (Labour Court of South Africa, Durban) Decision online.  Decision PDF.   [Pay leave for primary caregiver of child born to surrogate.]  

Chapter Six: Gender, Sexuality, Women and Discrimination

Rape

• S v Chirembwe [2015] ZWHHC 162 (15 February 2015) CRB No. R 1006/12, (High Court of Zimbabwe at Harare) Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Sentence length for multiple rapes.] 

Disability, Sexuality and Criminal Law

• Center for Health, Human Rights and Development and Iga Daniel v Attorney General [2015], Constitutional Petition No. 64 of 2011 (Constitutional Court of Uganda at Kampala).  Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [Derogatory labels for mentally disabled persons are unconstitutional.]  

Sexual Harassment

• *Rita M Mbatha v Farai B Zizhou & Anor, [2021] HH675-21,  HC 4986/14. (High Court of Zimbabwe at Harare), 20 October 2021,  Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Court awarded damages for sexual harassment at work.]
  

Women and Criminal Law

• Lucy Nyambura & Another v Town Clerk, Municipal Council of Mombasa & 2 Others [2011] eKLR, Petition No. 286 of 2009 (High Court of Kenya).   Decision online. Decision PDF.  [Conviction for loitering for purposes of prostitution held constitutional.]
• Dorothy Njemanze & 3 Ors V Federal Republic of Nigeria: Suit No: ECW/CCJ/APP/17/14, decided October 12, 2017 (ECOWAS Court, Abuja, Nigeria)  Decision online. Decision PDF.  Press release.  Summary by Benson Chakaya.  
  [Nigeria fined by ECOWAS Court for mistreatment of women, alleged prostitutes, by law enforcement personnel, under vagrancy laws.]
  
• *Mayeso Gwanda v. the State, Constitutional Case No 5. 2015, decided January 10, 2017  (High Court of Malawi.  Decision online.  Decision PDF   [vagrancy law challenged on human rights grounds in case of male vendor], [cites unreported 2007 Malawian "Mwanza" decision about 13 women, discussed on p. 127 of Legal Grounds III.
  
• *Advocaid Ltd. v. Republic of Sierra Leone.  Application No. ECW/CCJ/APP/18/22, Judgment No. ECW/CCJ/JUD/33/24, decided November 7, 2024 (ECOWAS Court)  Decision online. Decision PDF.  Press Release by IHRDA. [ECOWAS Court favoured Advocaid, which argued that discriminatory laws against loitering target the vulnerable and provide police with opportunities to accost, rape or sexually abuse women who cannot afford bribes.]

Gender Identity, Intersexuality, Transgender Rights

• Baby "A" (suing through her mother, E.A.) and  The Cradle the Children Foundation v Attorney General, Kenyatta National Hospital, and the Registrar of Births and Deaths [2014] eKLR, Petition No. 266 of 2013 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi, Constitutional and Human Rights Division). Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [Kenyan Court recognizes need to protect the constitutional rights of intersex persons]
• R.M. v Attorney General & 4 Others [2010] eKLR, Petition No. 705 of 2007 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi (Nairobi Law Courts)). Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Kenya does not recognize intersex persons]
• Republic v Kenya National Examinations Council & Another [2014] eKLR, JR Case No. 147 of 2013 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi)   Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Ordered name and gender change on high school diploma]
• *Ricky Nathanson v Farai Mteliso, The Officer in Charge Bulawayo Central Police Station, Commissioner of Police and the Minister of Home Affairs, Case no.HB 176/19 HC 1873/14 [2019] ZWBHC 135( (14 November 2019);  (Zimbabwe, High Court)  Decision online.  Decision PDF.  Case summary by Keikantse Phele.  [Court condemned transgender abuse; upholds constitutional rights of transgender persons]
  
  

Sexual Orientation

• Oloka-Onyango and 9 Others v Attorney General [2014], Constitutional Petition No. 8 of 2014, 
  UGCC 14 (1 August 2014) (Constitutional Court of Uganda at Kampala).  Decision online.  Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [Anti-Homosexuality Act annulled due to lack of parliamentary quorum.]
  C.O.L. & G.M.N. v. Resident Magistrate Kwale Court & Others Petition No. 51 of 2015, decided June 16, 2016  (High Court of Kenya, Constitutional and Judicial Review Division). Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Court allowed medical examinations including anal exams to prove crime of homosexuality] 
  
• *Teriah Joseph EBAH v. Federal Government of Nigeria, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/197/2014.  Decision of October 22, 2014 (Federal High Court of Nigeria at Abuja) (Unreported) Decision PDF.   Case comment by Ovye Affi.** [Court evaded legalizing homosexuality on constitutional grounds by denying legal standing to the applicant.]
• *["Eric Gitari 2"] EG & 7 others v Attorney General; DKM & 9 others Petition 150 & 234 of 2016 (consolidated), (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi, Constitutional and Human Rights Division).  Decision of May 24, 2019.   Decision online.  Decision PDF   [homosexuality is not legalized] 
• *Letsweletse Motshidiemang v Attorney General [2019] MAHGB-000591-16, Decision of June 11, 2019. (Botswana, High Court)  Decision online. Decision PDF.  Article by Prof. Frans Viljoen.  Case comment by Kutlwano Pearl Magashula**  [Gay sex is decriminalized]
• *Attorney General v. Letsweletse Motshidiemang & LEGABIBO (Amicus Curiae)[2021] CACGB-157-19, Decision of November 29, 2021. (Botswana, Court of Appeal)  Decision online. Decision online Decision PDF.  Article by Carmel Rickard.[Decriminalization of gay sex confirmed on appeal.] 
• *Hon. Fox Odoi & 21 Others v Attorney General & 3 Others (Consolidated Constitutional  Petition 14 of 2023; Consolidated Constitutional  Petition 15 of 2023; Consolidated Constitutional  Petition 16 of 2023; Consolidated Constitutional  Petition 85 of 2023) [2024] UGCC 10 (3 April 2024). Decision online at Afya na Haki. Decision online at Ulii. (39 mb)  Comment by Nimrod Muhumuza on AFRICLAW.  Legal Analysis by Chapter Four.  [Court ruled that the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 is constitutional.]
  

Recognition of LGBTIQ Advocacy and Groups

• Eric Gitari v Non-Governmental Organizations Co-Ordination Board & 4 Others [2015] eKLR, Petition No. 440 of 2013 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi)  Decision online.  Decision PDF  [LGBT organizations can be registered.]  
• Thuto Rammoge & 19 Others v The Attorney General of Botswana [2014] MAHGB-000175-13 (High Court of Botswana).  Decision online. Decision PDF.   [Homosexual rights advocacy society received official recognition.] 
• Attorney General of Botswana v. Thuto Rammoge & 19 Others [2016]  CACGB-128-14 (Botswana Court of Appeal at Gaborone) Decision online.  Decision PDF. . [Appeal dismissed]
• The People v Paul Kasonkomona [2015] HPA/53/2014 (High Court for Zambia)  Decision and documents online.  Decision PDF..  [Freedom of expression: HIV/LGBT activist acquitted for remarks made on television.] 
  
• Republic v Non-Governmental Organizations  Co-ordination Board & another ex-parte Transgender Education and Advocacy & 3 Others [2014] eKLR, JR Miscellaneous Application No. 308a of 2013 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts) Decision online.  Decision PDF  [Ordered transgender organization to be registered].
• *Pamela Adie v. Corporate Affairs Commission, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/827/2018.  Decision of November 16, 2018   (Federal High Court of Nigeria at Abuja) [Court upheld failure to register an organization to protect lesbian women]  Decision PDF.   Case comment by Obiagbaoso Maryanne Nkechi**.
• Highlight: Towards Respect for Human Diversity

Chapter Seven: HIV

Access to Treatment

• Dr. Jeremiah Ojonemi Alabi Abalaka and Medicrest Specialist Hospital Ltd.  v. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Attorney General of the Federation, and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) ,[2014]  Suit No. FHC/MKD/CS/ 75/2012.  Federal High Court at Makurdi, Nigeria.  [Longstanding ban on controversial HIV vaccine nullified.]

• Dickson Tapela & 2 Others v Attorney General & 2 Others [2014] MAHGB-000057-14 (High Court of Botswana)  Decision online. Decision PDF.  [securing access to HIV treatment for prisoners who are not citizens]
  
• Attorney General and Others v Tapela and Others ; In re: Attorney General and Others v Mwale (CACGB-096-14, CACGB-076-15) [2015] BWCA 1 (26 August 2015) (Botswana Court of Appeal} Decision online. Decision PDF  [Upheld High Court judgment and dismissed appeal].

• P.A.O. and 2 Others v The Attorney General & Another [2012], Petition No. 409 of 2009 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi).  Decision online.  Decision PDF. [law blocked access to generic ARV medicines]  

Stigma, and Criminalisation of Transmission

• AIDS Law Project v Attorney General & 3 Others [2015] eKLR, Petition No. 97 of 2010 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi).  Decision online. Decision PDF. [Criminal provision in HIV/AIDS law is overbroad and vague, unconstitutional]  
• Rosemary Namubiru v. Uganda [2014],  HCT-00-CR-CN -- 0050-2014.  High Court of Uganda at Kampala.  Decision online.(31 MB).. Decision on file.  [HIV+ nurse charged with negligence - excessive sentence] 
  
• Highlight: Criminalisation of HIV Non-Disclosure, Exposure, and Transmission
  
• *Kenya Legal and Ethical Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN) & 3 others v Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Health & 4 others. [2016] eKLR Petition 250 of 2015. (High Court at Nairobi) Decision online.  Decision PDF.  Abstract by Ebenezer Durojaye   [Court halts collection of HIV data] .
  

Forced Sterilization

• LM and Others v. Government of the Republic of Namibia, [2012] NAHC 211 (High Court of Namibia) Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [Court found forced sterilization of women without informed consent; unproven link to HIV-positive status]  
• Government of the Republic of Namibia v L.M. & 2 Others [2014] NASC 19 (Supreme Court of Namibia).  Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Appeal dismissed.  Court linked forced sterilisation to infringement of constitutional rights]
• Highlight: Sexual and Reproductive Rights of Women Living with HIV

Discrimination in Employment

• Dwenga and Others v Surgeon-General of the South African Military Health Services and Others [2014] ZAGPPHC 727, Case No. 40844/2013 (High Court, North Gauteng)  Decision online.  Decision PDF.  [HIV+ individuals cannot be excluded from army.]
  
• Gary Shane Allpass v Mooikloof Estates (Pty) Ltd. [2011], Case No. JS178/09 (Labour Court of South Africa).  Decision online. Decision PDF.  [Wrongful dismissal, HIV+]  
• Georgina Ahamefule v Imperial Medical Centre & Dr. Alex Molokwu [2012], Suit No. ID/1627/2000 (High Court of Lagos State, Nigeria).  Decision online.  Decision PDF. [Wrongful dismissal of HIV-positive nurse]  
• Stanley Kingaipe & Another v The Attorney General [2010] 2009/HL/86 (High Court for Zambia)  Decision online.    Decision PDF.   [HIV testing and ARV treatment without consent]
  

  Discrimination in Sentencing

  *MK v Director of Public Prosecutions and Others, CONST 5 of 2020 [2022] LSHC 238 (High Court of Lesotho) October 25, 2022,  Decision online.   Decision PDF.  News report.  [Constitutional challenge overturned certain sections of the Sexual Offences Act that impose mandatory HIV testing on persons accused of sexual offences, then impose a death sentence on persons convicted of sexual offences solely based on their HIV-positive status.]  

Chapter Eight: Francophone Africa  /  L’Afrique Francophone

• [Adultery /   L’adultère] Décision  DCC 09-081 Decision DCC 09-081 of 30 July 2009 of the Constitutional Court of Benin      Decision en ligne.  Decision PDF. (adultery law unconstitutional).
• [Polygamy / La polygamie]  Décision DCC 02-144  of 23 December 2002 of the Constitutional Court of Benin   Decision en ligne. Decision PDF.  (polygamy law unconstitutional)
• [Infanticide /  L’infanticide] Judgment No 216 of 13 December 2005 the Court of Appeal Niamey , Niger. .  (distinction between abortion and infanticide)

Online Legal Resources

Full Citation Information and Case Links

*Updates, not in Legal Grounds III, are marked with one asterisk.

** We thank Prof. Ebenezer Durojaye for facilitating this case comment, and others by African law students, marked with two asterisks.


.