Centre for Applied Legal Studies
@calsza.bsky.social
A centre of the University of the Witwatersrand School of Law and the first human rights organisation in South Africa. CALS has been reshaping justice since 1978
CALS will be in the Constitutional Court next Tuesday for a case with important implications for the right to water and the functioning of the South African Human Rights Commission
We are represented in the matter by in-house counsel Jatheen Bhima
Find out more: www.wits.ac.za/news/sources...
We are represented in the matter by in-house counsel Jatheen Bhima
Find out more: www.wits.ac.za/news/sources...
November 20, 2025 at 12:21 PM
CALS will be in the Constitutional Court next Tuesday for a case with important implications for the right to water and the functioning of the South African Human Rights Commission
We are represented in the matter by in-house counsel Jatheen Bhima
Find out more: www.wits.ac.za/news/sources...
We are represented in the matter by in-house counsel Jatheen Bhima
Find out more: www.wits.ac.za/news/sources...
Our Busisiwe Kamolane-Kgadima is representing CALS at the #G20 Social Summit this week. We are focusing on the themes:
1. Inclusive climate justice, a just transition and energy democracy; and
2. Building momentum for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063
1. Inclusive climate justice, a just transition and energy democracy; and
2. Building momentum for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063
November 19, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Our Busisiwe Kamolane-Kgadima is representing CALS at the #G20 Social Summit this week. We are focusing on the themes:
1. Inclusive climate justice, a just transition and energy democracy; and
2. Building momentum for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063
1. Inclusive climate justice, a just transition and energy democracy; and
2. Building momentum for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063
Our final webinar for this year's #AntiRepressionWeek will see the Right2Protest Project unpacking some of its recent work on the criminalisation of social movements
📅 20 November
🕛 12:00
📍 MS Teams
🔗 Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8062e3...
📅 20 November
🕛 12:00
📍 MS Teams
🔗 Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8062e3...
November 19, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Our final webinar for this year's #AntiRepressionWeek will see the Right2Protest Project unpacking some of its recent work on the criminalisation of social movements
📅 20 November
🕛 12:00
📍 MS Teams
🔗 Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8062e3...
📅 20 November
🕛 12:00
📍 MS Teams
🔗 Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8062e3...
Next week, our Sithuthukile Mkhize and Omhle Ntshingila join our partners for #DissentOnTrial – a discussion on strategies for countering criminalisation
📅 27 November
🕑 14:00 SAST
Attend online: bit.ly/DissentOnTrial-Online
Or in-person: bit.ly/DissentOnTrial-InPerson
📅 27 November
🕑 14:00 SAST
Attend online: bit.ly/DissentOnTrial-Online
Or in-person: bit.ly/DissentOnTrial-InPerson
November 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Next week, our Sithuthukile Mkhize and Omhle Ntshingila join our partners for #DissentOnTrial – a discussion on strategies for countering criminalisation
📅 27 November
🕑 14:00 SAST
Attend online: bit.ly/DissentOnTrial-Online
Or in-person: bit.ly/DissentOnTrial-InPerson
📅 27 November
🕑 14:00 SAST
Attend online: bit.ly/DissentOnTrial-Online
Or in-person: bit.ly/DissentOnTrial-InPerson
We continue the conversation this #AntiRepressionWeek with a Wednesday webinar on misinformation and digital security with speakers from Digital Society Africa, Power Law Africa and Moxxi Africa
📅 17 November
🕑 14:00
📍 MS Teams
🔗 Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/abc3a4...
📅 17 November
🕑 14:00
📍 MS Teams
🔗 Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/abc3a4...
November 17, 2025 at 9:42 AM
We continue the conversation this #AntiRepressionWeek with a Wednesday webinar on misinformation and digital security with speakers from Digital Society Africa, Power Law Africa and Moxxi Africa
📅 17 November
🕑 14:00
📍 MS Teams
🔗 Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/abc3a4...
📅 17 November
🕑 14:00
📍 MS Teams
🔗 Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/abc3a4...
Join CALS and @right2protestafrka.bsky.social for our first #AntiRepressionWeek webinar next Monday on Corporate Repression
We will be joined by speakers from @opensecrets.org.za,
@rightsindevt.bsky.social and @business-humanrights.org
Register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8d21eb...
We will be joined by speakers from @opensecrets.org.za,
@rightsindevt.bsky.social and @business-humanrights.org
Register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8d21eb...
November 13, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Join CALS and @right2protestafrka.bsky.social for our first #AntiRepressionWeek webinar next Monday on Corporate Repression
We will be joined by speakers from @opensecrets.org.za,
@rightsindevt.bsky.social and @business-humanrights.org
Register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8d21eb...
We will be joined by speakers from @opensecrets.org.za,
@rightsindevt.bsky.social and @business-humanrights.org
Register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8d21eb...
Next week, CALS and @right2protestafrka.bsky.social host the third annual #AntiRepressionWeek, showcasing work resisting repression
From Monday to Thursday, we are hosting webinars on corporate repression, misinformation and digital rights, and the criminalisation of social movements
From Monday to Thursday, we are hosting webinars on corporate repression, misinformation and digital rights, and the criminalisation of social movements
November 12, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Next week, CALS and @right2protestafrka.bsky.social host the third annual #AntiRepressionWeek, showcasing work resisting repression
From Monday to Thursday, we are hosting webinars on corporate repression, misinformation and digital rights, and the criminalisation of social movements
From Monday to Thursday, we are hosting webinars on corporate repression, misinformation and digital rights, and the criminalisation of social movements
Next week, CALS will be in the Eastern Cape High Court representing residents from three villages in Toboyi.
They are seeking to compel the Amathole District Municipality to provide them with safe and sufficient water.
Find out more and read our papers: wits.ac.za/news/sources...
They are seeking to compel the Amathole District Municipality to provide them with safe and sufficient water.
Find out more and read our papers: wits.ac.za/news/sources...
November 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Next week, CALS will be in the Eastern Cape High Court representing residents from three villages in Toboyi.
They are seeking to compel the Amathole District Municipality to provide them with safe and sufficient water.
Find out more and read our papers: wits.ac.za/news/sources...
They are seeking to compel the Amathole District Municipality to provide them with safe and sufficient water.
Find out more and read our papers: wits.ac.za/news/sources...
📢 Calling all law students!
Registration is now open for the next Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition! #PILMOOT
📅 Hypothetical case and information pack releases: 17 November 2025
📋 Register your team: forms.gle/wMHca2gxE7dm...
🔗 Find out more: www.mootcourt.co.za/moot/
Registration is now open for the next Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition! #PILMOOT
📅 Hypothetical case and information pack releases: 17 November 2025
📋 Register your team: forms.gle/wMHca2gxE7dm...
🔗 Find out more: www.mootcourt.co.za/moot/
November 11, 2025 at 7:51 AM
📢 Calling all law students!
Registration is now open for the next Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition! #PILMOOT
📅 Hypothetical case and information pack releases: 17 November 2025
📋 Register your team: forms.gle/wMHca2gxE7dm...
🔗 Find out more: www.mootcourt.co.za/moot/
Registration is now open for the next Public Interest Law Moot Court Competition! #PILMOOT
📅 Hypothetical case and information pack releases: 17 November 2025
📋 Register your team: forms.gle/wMHca2gxE7dm...
🔗 Find out more: www.mootcourt.co.za/moot/
Catch our Sheena Swemmer discussing consent in the higher education context at a webinar this Thursday presented by the Wits Division of Clinical Associates
📅 30 October 2025
🕕 18:00 – 19:30
📍 MS Teams
Find out more and register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a3faa1...
📅 30 October 2025
🕕 18:00 – 19:30
📍 MS Teams
Find out more and register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a3faa1...
October 28, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Catch our Sheena Swemmer discussing consent in the higher education context at a webinar this Thursday presented by the Wits Division of Clinical Associates
📅 30 October 2025
🕕 18:00 – 19:30
📍 MS Teams
Find out more and register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a3faa1...
📅 30 October 2025
🕕 18:00 – 19:30
📍 MS Teams
Find out more and register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a3faa1...
It's Day 2 of this year's Public Interest Law Gathering #PILG2025
Today's programme includes panels on corruption, the unfinished business of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, refugee rights, early childhood development and the limits of legal remedies
Today's programme includes panels on corruption, the unfinished business of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, refugee rights, early childhood development and the limits of legal remedies
October 23, 2025 at 7:58 AM
It's Day 2 of this year's Public Interest Law Gathering #PILG2025
Today's programme includes panels on corruption, the unfinished business of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, refugee rights, early childhood development and the limits of legal remedies
Today's programme includes panels on corruption, the unfinished business of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, refugee rights, early childhood development and the limits of legal remedies
Our Sheena Swemmer will be speaking on the panel “Freedom for all? Building a diverse and inclusive democracy” hosted by Animal Law Reform
📅22 October 2025
🕓16:00 – 17:30
📍Wits University
Catch up at #PILG2025
📅22 October 2025
🕓16:00 – 17:30
📍Wits University
Catch up at #PILG2025
October 22, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Our Sheena Swemmer will be speaking on the panel “Freedom for all? Building a diverse and inclusive democracy” hosted by Animal Law Reform
📅22 October 2025
🕓16:00 – 17:30
📍Wits University
Catch up at #PILG2025
📅22 October 2025
🕓16:00 – 17:30
📍Wits University
Catch up at #PILG2025
CALS will be hosting a panel on land reform and labour tenant protections today at this year's Public Interest Law Gathering
📅22 October 2025
🕑14:00 – 15:30
📍Wits University
Follow along at #PILG2025
📅22 October 2025
🕑14:00 – 15:30
📍Wits University
Follow along at #PILG2025
October 22, 2025 at 8:43 AM
CALS will be hosting a panel on land reform and labour tenant protections today at this year's Public Interest Law Gathering
📅22 October 2025
🕑14:00 – 15:30
📍Wits University
Follow along at #PILG2025
📅22 October 2025
🕑14:00 – 15:30
📍Wits University
Follow along at #PILG2025
It's Day 1 of this year's Public Interest Law Gathering #PILG2025
Today's programme includes panels on themes from countering dangerous narratives to statelessness, disability rights, basic services, social security and animal law
CALS is hosting a panel on land reform later this afternoon
Today's programme includes panels on themes from countering dangerous narratives to statelessness, disability rights, basic services, social security and animal law
CALS is hosting a panel on land reform later this afternoon
October 22, 2025 at 8:41 AM
It's Day 1 of this year's Public Interest Law Gathering #PILG2025
Today's programme includes panels on themes from countering dangerous narratives to statelessness, disability rights, basic services, social security and animal law
CALS is hosting a panel on land reform later this afternoon
Today's programme includes panels on themes from countering dangerous narratives to statelessness, disability rights, basic services, social security and animal law
CALS is hosting a panel on land reform later this afternoon
The current draft of the #BindingTreaty makes progress, but still falls short of ensuring real access to justice for victims of corporate abuse
CALS calls for stronger, victim-centred provisions to dismantle barriers that keep justice out of reach
CALS calls for stronger, victim-centred provisions to dismantle barriers that keep justice out of reach
October 21, 2025 at 8:52 AM
The current draft of the #BindingTreaty makes progress, but still falls short of ensuring real access to justice for victims of corporate abuse
CALS calls for stronger, victim-centred provisions to dismantle barriers that keep justice out of reach
CALS calls for stronger, victim-centred provisions to dismantle barriers that keep justice out of reach
This process of drafting could take several more years before a consensus is reached
Once the #BindingTreaty is finalised, it will be adopted by the UN Human Rights Council
Then, countries can elect to sign on to the treaty in order for it to apply in their jurisdictions
Once the #BindingTreaty is finalised, it will be adopted by the UN Human Rights Council
Then, countries can elect to sign on to the treaty in order for it to apply in their jurisdictions
October 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
This process of drafting could take several more years before a consensus is reached
Once the #BindingTreaty is finalised, it will be adopted by the UN Human Rights Council
Then, countries can elect to sign on to the treaty in order for it to apply in their jurisdictions
Once the #BindingTreaty is finalised, it will be adopted by the UN Human Rights Council
Then, countries can elect to sign on to the treaty in order for it to apply in their jurisdictions
In 2018, the working group published the first draft of the #BindingTreaty for discussion
Since then, four drafts of the treaty have been published and six rounds of negotiations have taken place at the United Nations
Since then, four drafts of the treaty have been published and six rounds of negotiations have taken place at the United Nations
October 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
In 2018, the working group published the first draft of the #BindingTreaty for discussion
Since then, four drafts of the treaty have been published and six rounds of negotiations have taken place at the United Nations
Since then, four drafts of the treaty have been published and six rounds of negotiations have taken place at the United Nations
In 2014, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Ecuador and South Africa
This resolution created a working group to develop a #BindingTreaty on business and human rights
The treaty was supported by a number of nations in the Global South
This resolution created a working group to develop a #BindingTreaty on business and human rights
The treaty was supported by a number of nations in the Global South
October 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
In 2014, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Ecuador and South Africa
This resolution created a working group to develop a #BindingTreaty on business and human rights
The treaty was supported by a number of nations in the Global South
This resolution created a working group to develop a #BindingTreaty on business and human rights
The treaty was supported by a number of nations in the Global South
It can be difficult to hold multinational corporations accountable for their role in human rights violations across borders
Existing mechanisms are voluntary and inadequate
What is needed is a legally binding international mechanism to bring companies to account
Existing mechanisms are voluntary and inadequate
What is needed is a legally binding international mechanism to bring companies to account
October 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
It can be difficult to hold multinational corporations accountable for their role in human rights violations across borders
Existing mechanisms are voluntary and inadequate
What is needed is a legally binding international mechanism to bring companies to account
Existing mechanisms are voluntary and inadequate
What is needed is a legally binding international mechanism to bring companies to account
This week, Anesu Dera will be representing CALS at the United Nations in Geneva for the latest round of negotiations on the #UNBindingTreaty on business and human rights
But, what is the #BindingTreaty? A short thread 🧵
But, what is the #BindingTreaty? A short thread 🧵
October 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
This week, Anesu Dera will be representing CALS at the United Nations in Geneva for the latest round of negotiations on the #UNBindingTreaty on business and human rights
But, what is the #BindingTreaty? A short thread 🧵
But, what is the #BindingTreaty? A short thread 🧵
Our Dr Sheena Swemmer is the recipient of the Social Justice Champion of the Year Award!
We send our warmest congratulations to Sheena on this well-deserved recognition of her work combating gender-based violence and discrimination
We send our warmest congratulations to Sheena on this well-deserved recognition of her work combating gender-based violence and discrimination
October 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Our Dr Sheena Swemmer is the recipient of the Social Justice Champion of the Year Award!
We send our warmest congratulations to Sheena on this well-deserved recognition of her work combating gender-based violence and discrimination
We send our warmest congratulations to Sheena on this well-deserved recognition of her work combating gender-based violence and discrimination
CALS and @right2protestafrka.bsky.social recently made submissions to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
We discuss our work countering #SLAPP suits and the need for South Africa to develop anti-SLAPP laws
www.wits.ac.za/media/wits-u...
We discuss our work countering #SLAPP suits and the need for South Africa to develop anti-SLAPP laws
www.wits.ac.za/media/wits-u...
October 15, 2025 at 12:06 PM
CALS and @right2protestafrka.bsky.social recently made submissions to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
We discuss our work countering #SLAPP suits and the need for South Africa to develop anti-SLAPP laws
www.wits.ac.za/media/wits-u...
We discuss our work countering #SLAPP suits and the need for South Africa to develop anti-SLAPP laws
www.wits.ac.za/media/wits-u...
CALS is proud to announce that our Dr Sheena Swemmer is a finalist for this year's Social Justice Champion Award presented by the Centre for Social Justice and Prof Thuli Madonsela
Sheena heads our Gender Justice programme and has a deep commitment to promoting the right to equality
Sheena heads our Gender Justice programme and has a deep commitment to promoting the right to equality
October 14, 2025 at 12:46 PM
CALS is proud to announce that our Dr Sheena Swemmer is a finalist for this year's Social Justice Champion Award presented by the Centre for Social Justice and Prof Thuli Madonsela
Sheena heads our Gender Justice programme and has a deep commitment to promoting the right to equality
Sheena heads our Gender Justice programme and has a deep commitment to promoting the right to equality
Catch up on recent CALS highlights in the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter: payg.rocketseed.net/public/messa...
Or sign up for future editions here: www.wits.ac.za/cals/cals-qu...
Or sign up for future editions here: www.wits.ac.za/cals/cals-qu...
September 30, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Catch up on recent CALS highlights in the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter: payg.rocketseed.net/public/messa...
Or sign up for future editions here: www.wits.ac.za/cals/cals-qu...
Or sign up for future editions here: www.wits.ac.za/cals/cals-qu...
Catch up on recent CALS highlights in the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter: payg.rocketseed.net/public/messa...
Or sign up for future editions here: www.wits.ac.za/cals/cals-qu...
Or sign up for future editions here: www.wits.ac.za/cals/cals-qu...
September 30, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Catch up on recent CALS highlights in the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter: payg.rocketseed.net/public/messa...
Or sign up for future editions here: www.wits.ac.za/cals/cals-qu...
Or sign up for future editions here: www.wits.ac.za/cals/cals-qu...