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);  Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe outlawed child marriage under 18 years old.]  Decision online.  Extra copy.

• 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).  [Customary marriage practices are not justification for abduction and rape of a girl of 14.]   Decision online.  Extra copy.
  
• *Rebeca Z. Gyumi v The Attorney General, Miscellaneous Civil Cause No. 5 of 2016, High Court of Tanzania.  Date of Judgment: 8/7/2016,  [Third party consent to marriage of girls under 18 is unconstitutional]  Decision PDF. 
  Comment by Rebeca Gyumi's NGO.   Comment by Godfrey Kangaude
  
• {NEW 2019}: *Attorney General vs Rebeca Z. Gyumi (Civil Appeal No.204 of 2017) [2019] TZCA 348; (23 October 2019)  [Court upheld decision of 2016.] Decision online.  Decision PDF.
  
• {NEW 2018): *APDF & IHRDA v Republic of Mali (App. no. 046/2016) [2018] AfCHPR 15; (11 May 2018) (African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights) [Customary child marriage provisions in Mali 's Family Code violate age of marriage and consent rights.]  Decision PDF.   Case Comment by George Sakyi Asumadu**. 
  
• 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).  [Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) prohibited as unconstitutional]  Decision online.  Decision in PDF

Sexual Abuse, Assault and Violence

• 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). [Court holds police accountable for inaction in child sexual assaults].  Decision online.  Decision PDF.
  
• 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). [high school teacher rapist]  Decision online.  Decision PDF. 
• Highlight: Sexual Abuse, Assault and Violence
• For more cases of child defilement in Africa, see the ACERWC database.

Consensual Sexual Conduct

• C.K.W. v Attorney General & Another [2014] eKLR, Petition 6 of 2013 (High Court of Kenya at Eldoret).  [Court upholds criminalisation of adolescent consensual sex, ignores gender bias in the law.]  Decision online.
• S v. Brian M. [surname editorially abridged]  [2015] ZWHHC 106, CRB No. B467/14 (High Court of Zimbabwe at Harare). [Sentence reduced for adolescent sex.]  Decision online. 
  
• 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). [High Court proposes decriminalisation of adolescent consensual sexual conduct.]   Decision online.
• 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).  [Laws criminalising adolescent consensual sexual conduct suspended, pending review by Parliament.]  Decision online.
• *Martin C.   v. Republic,  Criminal Appeal No. 32 of 2015, April 26, 2016 (High Court of Kenya, at Malindi).  [Consensual sexual relationship between adult man of 23 and girl of 14 is not "defilement." ]  Decision online. *Update, not in Legal Grounds III, discussed in this article.
  
• *The State v. CF (A Juvenile)  HH  143-11,  CRB  5,320/10  July  21,  2011  (High  Court  of  Zimbabwe). (Adolescent male cannot be convicted of consensual sex).  Decision online.  *Update, not in Legal Grounds III
  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).  [Expulsion of pregnant learners violates fundamental rights]  Decision online.

Chapter Three: Maternal Health Care and Services

• The Center for Health Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) and 3 Others v Attorney General [2012], Constitutional Petition No. 16 of 2011 (Constitutional Court of Uganda at Kampala). [Preventable maternal deaths dismissed as a "political question".  However, see 2015 Supreme Court decision]    Decision online.Decision attached in PDF.

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

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

• Millicent Awuor Omuya alias Maimuna Awuor & Another v The Attorney General & 4 Others [2015], Petition No. 562 of 2012, (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]  Decision online

• Ntsele v Mec for Health, Gauteng Provincial Government [2012] ZAGPJHC 208 (South Gauteng High Court, South Africa) [medical negligence during labour damaged child's brain]  Decision online.
  
  
• {NEW 2018} *J O O (also known as J M) v Attorney General & 6 others [2018] Petition No 5 of 2014, (High Court of Kenya at Bungoma).  [neglect, abuse and humiliation of pregnant woman at county hospital] Decision of March 22, 2018 online.  Case comment by Naitore Nyamu**.
  
• 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, Official English Translation. [legal abortion allowed for raped 13-year-old].  Official English translation of October 2015 decision, redacted.
• 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). [State held liable for hindering access to emergency contraception, but not abortion]  Decision online.  Decision attached in PDF
• Republic v Jackson Namunya Tali [2014] eKLR, High Court Criminal Case No. 75 of 2009 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi).  [Court convicts nurse of murder over abortion related death]  Decision online.  Decision attached in PDF.
  
• *Republic v. Jackson Namunya Tali, [2016] Criminal Appeal No. 173 of 2016.   Nurse Jackson Tali is acquitted by the Court of Appeal after 8 years awaiting death penalty, October 19, 2017.  Decision online.    Decision attached in PDF.   Press release by CRR. 
• {NEW 2019} *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, Petrition No. 266 of 2015, Decision of June 11, 2019.  [Case of "JMM," a 14 year old girl who died after botched illegal abortion.  (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi, Constitutional and Human Rights Division), Decision of June 11, 2019.   Decision online.   Reuters news report.    Press release by CRR.
  
• 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)). [Damages awarded for failure of contraception, including the cost of rearing and educating an unplanned child]  Decision online.
• 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) [Pregnancy after tubal ligation - not proven]  Decision online.
• H v Fetal Assessment Centre [2014] ZACC 34 (Constitutional Court of South Africa)  ["wrongful life" claim]  Decision online.

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) [Father's consent required for adoption even out of wedlock]   High court judgment.
• Highlight: Adoption and Surrogacy

Surrogacy

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

• *AB and Surrogacy Advisory Group v. the Minister of Social Development   CCT 155/15, decided November 29, 2016 (Constitutional Court of South Africa)  (Centre for Child Law as Amicus Curiae)  Decision online.  *Update (abstract),  not in Legal Grounds III

• Ex Parte: MS and Others [2014] ZAGPPHC 457 (High Court of South Africa) [surrogate motherhood requires court authorization]  Decision online.
• 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).  [Twins born to surrogate withheld by Hospital until birth certificate resolved.]  Decision online.
• MIA v State Information Technology Agency (Pty) Ltd [2015] ZALCD 20 (Labour Court of South Africa)
  [pay leave for primary caregiver of surrogate's child]  Decision online.

Chapter Six: Gender, Sexuality, Women and Discrimination

Rape

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

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.

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).  [Conviction for loitering for purposes of prostitution held constitutional.]  Decision online.
• *Dorothy Njemanze & 3 Ors V Federal Republic of Nigeria: SUIT NO: ECW/CCJ/APP/17/14  (ECOWAS Court, Abuja, Nigeria)   Nigeria fined by ECOWAS Court for mistreatment of women, alleged prostitutes, by law enforcement personnel, under vagrancy laws. Decision of October 12, 2017.   Press release   *Update, not in Legal Grounds III
• *Mayeso Gwanda v. the State, Constitutional Case No 5. 2015  (High Court of Malawi. [vagrancy law challenged on human rights grounds in case of male vendor],  Decision of January 10, 2017  , this decision cites unreported 2007 Malawian "Mwanza" decision about 13 women, discussed on p. 127 of Legal Grounds III.
  

Legal Recognition of Intersexuality

• 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). [Kenyan Court recognizes need to protect the constitutional rights of intersex persons]  Decision online.
• 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. [Kenya does not recognize intersex persons]

Gender Identity

• Republic v Kenya National Examinations Council & Another [2014] eKLR, JR Case No. 147 of 2013 (High Court of Kenya at Nairobi) [Ordered name and gender change on high school diploma]  Decision online.

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). [Anti-Homosexuality Act annulled due to lack of parliamentary quorum.]  Decision online.
• C.O.L. & G.M.N. v. Resident Magistrate Kwale Court & Others Petition No. 51 of 2015 (High Court of Kenya, Constitutional and Judicial Review Division). [Court allowed medical examinations including anal exams to prove crime of homosexuality]  Decision on file.
• [ADDED] *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) [Court evaded legalizing homosexuality on constitutional grounds by denying legal standing to the applicant. ]  Decision online.  Case comment by Ovye Affi.**
• {NEW 2019]   ["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 [homosexuality not legalized]  Decision online.
• {NEW 2019]:  *Letsweletse Motshidiemang v Attorney General [2019] MAHGB-000591-16, Decision of June 11, 2019. (Botswana, High Court)  .Decision online.   Case comment by Kutlwano Pearl Magashula**

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)  [LGBT organizations can be registered.]  Decision online.
• Thuto Rammoge & 19 Others v The Attorney General of Botswana [2014] MAHGB-000175-13 (High Court of Botswana). [Homosexual rights advocacy society received official recognition.]  Decision online.
• Attorney General of Botswana v. Thuto Rammoge & 19 Others [2016]  CACGB-128-14 (Botswana Court of Appeal at Gaborone)  [Appeal dismissed]  Decision online
• The People v Paul Kasonkomona [2015] HPA/53/2014 (High Court for Zambia)   [Freedom of expression: HIV/LGBT activist acquitted for remarks made on television.]   Decisions and documents online
• 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) [Ordered transgender organization to be registered]. Decision online.
• {NEW 2018}:  *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) [upheld failure to register an organization to protect lesbian women]  Decision online.  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.] Decision on file

• Dickson Tapela & 2 Others v Attorney General & 2 Others [2014] MAHGB-000057-14 (High Court of Botswana) [securing access to HIV treatment for prisoners]  Documents online through SALC
• 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)  [dismissed by Botswana Court of Appeal].  Decision online. 

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

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).  [Criminal provision in HIV/AIDS law is overbroad and vague, unconstitutional] [Decision online.
• Rosemary Namubiru v. Uganda [2014],  HCT-00-CR-CN -- 0050-2014.  High Court of Uganda at Kampala. [HIV+ nurse's negligence - excessive sentence]  Decision on file.
• 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 Abstract by Ebenezer Durojaye [2016] eKLR Petition 250 of 2015. (High Court at Nairobi) [Court halts collection of HIV data]  Decision online.     

Forced Sterilization

• LM and Others v. Government of the Republic of Namibia, [2012] NAHC 211 (High Court of Namibia)  [Court found forced sterilization of women without informed consent; unproven link to HIV-positive status]  Decision online.
• Government of the Republic of Namibia v L.M. & 2 Others [2014] NASC 19 (Supreme Court of Namibia). [Court links forced sterilisation to infringement of constitutional rights] Decision online.
• 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) [HIV+ individuals cannot be excluded from army.] Decision online.
• Gary Shane Allpass v Mooikloof Estates (Pty) Ltd. [2011], Case No. JS178/09 (Labour Court of South Africa).[Wrongful dismissal, HIV+]  Decision online.
• Georgina Ahamefule v Imperial Medical Centre & Dr. Alex Molokwu [2012], Suit No. ID/1627/2000 (High Court of Lagos State). [Wrongful dismissal of HIV+ nurse]  Decision online.
• Stanley Kingaipe & Another v The Attorney General [2010] 2009/HL/86 (High Court for Zambia) [HIV testing and ARV treatment without consent]  Decision online.

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  (adultery law unconstitutional).  Decision in French on file.   Decision en ligne.
• [Polygamy / La polygamie]  Décision DCC 02-144  of 23 December 2002 of the Constitutional Court of Benin (polygamy law unconstitutional)  Decision in French on file.  Decision en ligne.
• [Infanticide /  L’infanticide] Judgment No 216 of 13 December 2005 the Court of Appeal Niamey , Niger (distinction between abortion and infanticide)  Decision on file, in French.

Online Legal Resources

Full Citation Information and Case Links

*Update, not in Legal Grounds III.

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


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