Probono 86 – 30 Years of Gender Research and Advocacy
The gender department was launched as the “Gender Research Project” of the LAC in February 1993, with the aim of investigating law-related gender issues and making recommendations for legal reform. It was originally staffed by myself as the sole lawyer, along with one field researcher. “Advocacy” was added to the name in 1999 to capture this important component of the project’s work. More…

Probono 87 – Extraction of resources – the rights of the local community to participate
The participation of relevant and affected communities in the issuing of mining, prospecting and reconnaissance licences is an important feature of the Environmental Management Act and consequently an important facet of the entire process of mining regulation in Namibia.
It is mandatory for companies or persons seeking permission from government to mine, or to conduct prospecting activities in a specific area – to consult with the people who are living in that area and who shall be directly affected by those mining operations. Any person or company who proceeds with mining or conducts prospecting or reconnaissance activities without consulting the communities is conducting that activity illegally because that offends one of the key objectives of the Environmental Management Act of 2007 – and that is the participation and/or benefitting of affected communities. More…

“Protect the Environment and Wildlife from Exploitation”

We are inviting all schools in Namibia to participate in our second comic writing competition.
Learners are encouraged to create their own comic stories about crimes against the environment or wildlife and how it affects all of us. The comic should show what the consequences are if such crimes continue and how to prevent these crimes from happening.
More resources and examples
Reports in the news and in MyZone

Joint Press Statement:  Supreme Court Judgment in the Same-sex couples’ immigration rights case

We, the partners of Afrikagrupperna, a Swedish solidarity organisation, are a group of diverse organisations from Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. We work in the areas of labour rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, climate justice and food sovereignty and for the protection of human rights as a collective.  Read more…

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5th.
It is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people around the world. The day is designed to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

The theme for World Environment Day on 5 June 2023 will focus on solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution.

There are many ways to celebrate World Environment Day. You can participate in local events, such as tree plantings, clean-ups, and educational workshops. You can also make changes in your own life to reduce your impact on the environment. For example, you can recycle, conserve water, and use less energy.

Every little bit helps. By taking action on World Environment Day, you can make a difference for our planet and for future generations.

Here are some additional ways to celebrate World Environment Day:

• Learn about the environmental challenges facing our planet.
• Talk to your friends and family about the importance of environmental protection.
• Make a commitment to live more sustainably.
• Support businesses and organizations that are working to protect the environment.
• Donate to environmental charities.
  

  We have the following topics on our agenda:

• Oil Exploration
• Wildlife Crime
• Wildlife training
• Schools comic contests
• Environmental Issues

PRESS RELEASE – following an article on Hyphen’s 24% stake offer
The statement by President Hage Geingob in The Namibian of 29 May 2023 warning locals not to interfere in the green hydrogen project being developed in Tsau//Khaeb National Park is deeply concerning to the Legal Assistance Centre.
Please read our full statement

Same-sex marriages concluded outside Namibia must be respected under the immigration laws

This consolidated appeal concerns two cases, both involving foreign nationals married to Namibians in same-sex marriages, which were jointly heard by a Full Bench of the High Court (the Full Bench) due to the similarity of the issues raised. The primary dispute revolves around the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration’s (the Ministry) refusal to recognise spouses in same-sex marriages validly concluded outside Namibia for immigration purposes (ie in terms of s 2(1)(c) of the Immigration Control Act 7 of 1993 (the Act)).
The Full Bench of the High Court determined that the Ministry’s practice violates the parties’ constitutional rights but found that it was bound by a decision of this Court in Immigration Selection Board v Frank 2001 NR 107 (SC) (Frank), which precluded it from granting relief to the appellants on constitutional grounds by reason of the doctrine of precedent reinforced by Art 81 of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court has overruled this decision and the Apeal Judgment, full ruling and grounds thereto may be read here.
More on this case also on the Southern Africa Litigation Centre’s website.

PRESS RELEASE – APPEAL HEARING: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Ncumcara Community Forest and Others // Reconnaissance Africa (PTY) LTD and Others
On 26 April 2023 the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism reserved judgement after hearing arguments for and against the decision by the Environmental Commissioner (EC) to amend an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) 0091 held by Reconnaissance Energy Namibia (Pty) Ltd (REN). Read more…

Appeal against RECON’s extention of Clearance Certificate lodged
Aggrieved parties  have lodged an appeal on 22 June 2022, in terms of section 50 of the Environmental Management Act, Act 7 of 2007, against the decision of the Environmental Commissioner who amended and extended the environmental clearance certificate, ECC 0091, held by Reconnaissance Energy Namibia (Pty) Ltd (REN).
Read more…

Showcasing our materials

The LAC was represented at the CIVILSOCIETY EXHIBITION AND NETWORKING EVENT held at the Gateway Conference Centre on 19 and 20 October.

And (to the right) explaining our databases Online with a PowerPoint presentation to download or to view here.