Several studies have reported a significant rise in human trafficking across the globe. It is estimated by the US State Department that some 27.6m people are trapped in this insidious cycle of exploitation. This is larger than the population of Australia, which stood at 25.6m in 2021. BP 583 A Continuing Curse – The 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report […]
In a recent Briefing Paper (No 578, Constitutional Delinquency2) we analyzed various ways in which the government has been deviating from its constitutional duties, noting that “some of its policy and legislative decisions suggest that it sees the Constitution as an obstacle to be circumvented or even to be ignored entirely.” BP 582 Section 59 – The Publics Parliament by […]
Pope Francis’s new Apostolic Exhortation, Laudate Deum,1 exposes the unusual acceleration of the deterioration of our planet. Delivered by the head of the Catholic Church and addressed to “all people of goodwill”, Laudate Deum is a strong warning about the growing climate crisis. The present crisis goes well beyond normal ecological change, and we need to become more aware of the necessity to […]
South Africa is home to approximately 200 000 homeless people.2 Homelessness refers to those who live on the street and are without safe shelter. It is this population who are also referred to as ‘street people’, those individuals who have no access to a roof or shelter, live and sleep on the streets for a number of reasons, and have done […]
The 28th Conference of Parties (COP 28), also called the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) begins on 30th November 2023 this year in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Global recognition of the present climate change problems was acknowledged back at COP 1, the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, where 154 states signed the International Environment Treaty. Each […]
Section 1 of the Constitution proclaims that South Africa is founded upon certain values, one of them being “supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law”. Section 2 emphasises this, providing that law or conduct that is not consistent with the Constitution is invalid, and that obligations imposed by the Constitution must be fulfilled. BP 578 Constitutional Delinquency by Mike […]
Mental health is growing as a public health priority and human rights imperative. World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is observed every year on 10th October and October is Mental Health Month. The day is dedicated to creating awareness about the importance of good mental health. WMHD 2023 is an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a […]
On 23rd August 2023 the German Federal Government approved new legislation that will potentially give millions of immigrants in Germany a process for safe, legal residence in the country, with a path to citizenship.1 It “will also bolster the integration of immigrants and help an economy that is struggling with a shortage of skilled workers.”2 BP 576 An Altogether Better Path for […]
In South Africa, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15 to 24 years are the most high-risk sector of the population for acquiring HIV. But what factors contribute to higher HIV infections among this vulnerable group, and what strategies can be used to reduce the infection rate?1 This paper investigates the socio-demographic and behavioural determinants of HIV infection among AGYW in South […]
Every year 20th June is observed internationally as World Refugee Day. Two points need to be made immediately. Firstly, the day itself, is not meant to be ‘a one day focus’, but instead provides, through its theme, a lens or hermeneutic to analyse and assess the dynamics, and especially the policies, that are at work generally in the refugee world, for the […]
