Southern Africa: Top lawyers say SADC turning its back on human rights

Top lawyers in the Southern African region have told SW Radio Africa that leaders in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are turning their back on human rights, by dissolving the region’s human rights Tribunal. Concern is still high after the shock decision by SADC leaders to close the court, with growing warnings about what this will mean for the rule of law across Southern Africa. The move has been described as regressive and a serious threat to human rights, the rule of law, and the regional bloc’s credibility, because it means there is now no independent court in the region to protect citizens’ rights.