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Chief Justice Advocates for Reparatory Justice at African Court Opening
His Lordship Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala delivered a compelling address at the opening of the 2025 Judicial Year of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights in Arusha, Tanzania. The event, centered on the theme "Advancing Justice Through Reparations," brought together distinguished judicial leaders from across the continent. In his address, the Chief Justice emphasized the judiciary's crucial role in addressing historical injustices across Africa. He traced the evolution of reparatory justice from the 1993 Abuja Proclamation through to the 2023 Accra Proclamation on Reparations, highlighting the continued relevance of this important issue. His Lordship cited two significant precedents that have shaped the landscape of reparatory justice in Africa: the 2017 Ogiek Case ruling against Kenya and the 2022 Batwa Case against the Democratic Republic of Congo. These landmark decisions demonstrate the African Court's commitment to protecting indigenous rights and providing appropriate remedies for historical wrongs. The Chief Justice called for a unified approach among national judiciaries in addressing historical injustices, emphasizing that reparations should encompass both monetary and non-monetary forms of redress. These include restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition. His Lordship concluded by stressing the importance of implementing reparatory justice effectively, calling for increased collaboration between governments, civil society, and international organizations to ensure that judicial decisions translate into meaningful change for affected communities. The Chief Justice's participation in this high-level event underscores the Kingdom of Eswatini's commitment to advancing justice and human rights across the African continent.
THE SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFRICA CHIEF JUSTICES’ FORUM CON...
>The Southern and Eastern Africa Chief Justices’ Forum will convene in Kampala, Uganda, from September 30th to October 5th, 2024. The conference, themed "Enhanced Access to Justice: Underscoring Reforms in African Judiciaries," aims to promote judicial independence and the rule of law. The Chairperson, Honourable Chief Justice M. C. B. Maphalala, expressed gratitude to Uganda for hosting and emphasized the need for African unity and judicial support. Read Full Speech
Virtual Remand Hearings To Improve Access To Justice, Reduce Costs Plus More
The successful implementation of the remote remand system has the potential to significantly improve access to justice, reduce costs, and ensure business continuity during situations where physical meetings are not possible...(UNDP) see article
Judges, Magistrates to address issues in the fight against money laundering
Judges and Magistrates from across the Kingdom of Eswatini to address key issues in the fight against money laundering and asset recovery, both locally and globally. This was supported by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime UNDOC, @Hilton Garden inn.
15 Attorneys, 1 advocate Addmitted
Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala addmitted 15 attorneys and 1 advocate at the High Court, Mbabane