Pro Bono on Ancestral Land Rights and Restitution

Background The restitution of ancestral land rights in Namibia has since independence divided opinions. Some argue that it is a fitting process in dealing with colonial era land dispossessions, while others are concerned about the complexity of implementing this kind of restitution. At independence, the Namibian Government assumed the viewpoint of the...

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ProBono on Immoral Practices

The Combating of Immoral Practices Act 21 of 1980 is a law that is much misunderstood. Many have called for it to be repealed, wrongly believing that it criminalises homosexuality in some way. But this is not the case. So, what does this outdated “South West African” statute inherited by Namibia...

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ProBono on Environmental Assessments in Namibia

Article 95(l) of Namibian Constitution is the focal point for the protection of Namibia’s environment. It declares that the Government will take steps to maintain Namibia’s ecosystems, essential ecological processes and biological diversity. It also says that the Government will try to make sure that all of the nation’s living...

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ProBono on harmful practices

March 2021 - ProBono 55 - Harmful Social, Cultural and Religious Practices: What the Child Care and Protection Act says Are initiation customs such as sikenge and olufuko harmful to the girls who take part in them? Press reports on these rituals quote positive and negative perceptions from different participants. A play on...

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ProBono on International Laws

January 2021 – Probono 54 – What is international law and why does is matter to Namibia? International law is a set of rules, norms and standards generally accepted in relations between countries. It creates common legal obligations to guide countries on cross-border issues such as war, diplomacy, trade, the environment and human...

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