Human Rights

This is an interdisciplinary platform for exciting insights, opinions, reviews, and critical analyses of human rights issues in Africa. A cross-section of contributors shares and cover human rights issues related to policy, advocacy, practice, and awareness. The insights shared unveil a wide spectrum where human rights principles and theories interface with lived realities of people and communities in Africa.

Besides the blog contributions, the africanlegalstudies.blog and the Chair of African Legal Studies at the University of Bayreuth are constantly developing new initiatives to exchange and engage with scholars and practitioners. These include research projects such as “Intractable Human Rights Issues” or debate series (e.g. “Everyone’s human rights”).

Navigating the Tightrope: Niger’s Law 2015-36 and the Delicate Balance of Migration Governance, Human Rights, and Geopolitical Dynamics

Rhoumour Ahmet TchiloutaJan 26, 20247 min read
Navigating the Tightrope: Niger’s Law 2015-36 and the Delicate Balance of Migration Governance, Human Rights, and Geopolitical Dynamics

Introduction Legislative developments in Niger, epitomized by the enactment and subsequent repeal of Law 2015-36, represent a paradigmatic case of migration governance that intertwines geopolitical…

Sexuality Unbound: Exploring Power and Politics

Samah Khalaf AllahJan 19, 20248 min read
Sexuality Unbound: Exploring Power and Politics

Introduction: Reclaiming Voices, Redefining Norms My recent engagement with Nana Darkoa’s enlightening book, “The Sex Lives of African Women,”[1] has been nothing short of transformative.…

Highlights of 2023: End-of-Year Review

Merlin MitschkerDec 29, 20237 min read
Highlights of 2023: End-of-Year Review

Introduction In the vibrant tapestry of African legal and political developments in 2023, the African Legal Studies Blog has captured critical developments, weaving together the…

Trading Economy for Public Health? Malawi’s Most Recent Dilemma

Gift Gawanani MaulukaDec 1, 20237 min read
Trading Economy for Public Health? Malawi’s Most Recent Dilemma

Introduction In the complex policymaking landscape, nations often confront a profound dilemma when economically crucial industries collide with public health imperatives.[1] This challenge is exemplified…

Back to the Drawing Board: How Data Protection Impact Assessment Discourse Is Shaping Maisha Namba Project in Kenya 

Nelson OtienoNov 24, 20236 min read
Back to the Drawing Board: How Data Protection Impact Assessment Discourse Is Shaping Maisha Namba Project in Kenya 

A New Digital ID Project  Digital IDs are touted in the African Union Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2030 as a tool for development. However, the roll-out…

No Place of a Refuge? The Disturbing Trend of Reconceiving International Refugee Law

Louis GitinywaNov 3, 202312 min read
No Place of a Refuge? The Disturbing Trend of Reconceiving International Refugee Law

Reflections and Perspectives on the Externalization of the UK Asylum Policy in Rwanda Since 2015, there has been a movement of people reaching the shores…