From 27 to 29 September 2022, the African Police Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF) and the SU Faculty of Law hosted the global annual convening of the Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status, where representatives from over 50 organisations from over 30 countries gathered in Stellenbosch to explore the theme “Decriminalising Status and Activism”. The organisations are all members of the Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status, a coalition of organisations from across the world that advocate for the review and repeal of laws that target people based on their status (social, political, or economic) or for their activism. The conference provided a unique opportunity for campaign members to learn lessons from successful litigation and advocacy approaches; explore emerging themes around the criminalisation of status and activism; and develop trans-regional, as well as multi-national and national litigation and advocacy strategies. The event was co-organised by Professor Bradley Slade (who delivered the opening address on behalf of the Stellenbosch University and the Faculty of Law) and Dr Delano van der Linde.
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