The Centre for Applied Legal Studies is a human rights organisation that has been reshaping justice since 1978 https://xitter.cf/t.co/1zuOylNrQk
Johannesburg, South Africa
Joined July 2014
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Please note that from this week CALS will be open for walk-in consultations on Mondays and Tuesdays between 9:00 and 17:00.
On other days, please feel free to email info.cals[at]wits.ac.za to set up a consultation.
New opinion out!
Our Dr Anesu Dera along with Phyllia Ngoatje from @LHR_SA and Maxine Bezuidenhout from @AIDC_RSA reflects on where we are in the process of negotiating for a #BindingTreaty on corporate accountability
sowetan.co.za/opinion/column…
Day 3 of the #BindingTreaty negotiations saw our Dr Anesu Dera participate in a side event titled “Environmental Justice in the UN Binding Treaty: Corporate Accountability, Conflict and the Right to a Healthy Environment”
Anesu highlighted the role of civil society organisations in protecting human rights defenders who speak out against corporate abuses
His contribution explored the growing use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) to intimidate, silence and burden activists
Day 2 of the #BindingTreay negotiations saw our Dr Anesu Dera make a key submission at the UN in Geneva
The submission highlights the need for a dedicated international tribunal to strengthen corporate accountability and access to justice for victims of corporate abuse
CALS retweeted
📢 UN Binding Treaty Negotiations | Day 1 Update
The @BHRCmedia in partnership with @LHR_SA has published its Day 1 Daily Update from the 12th session of the UN Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group negotiating a proposed legally binding instrument on Biz and human rights.
CALS retweeted
Read the full treaty primer for an analysis of the draft and detailed recommendations for African States and civil society as negotiations continue in Geneva!
Here: linkedin.com/feed/update/urn…
CALS retweeted
📢Can the UN treaty make corporations answer for human rights abuses?
As negotiations move forward in Geneva, a critical question remains: will the proposed UN treaty on business and human rights close the accountability gaps that allow corporations to escape responsibility.....
Day 1 of negotiations on the #BindingTreaty on business and human rights saw our Anesu Dera advocating for a strong, effective and enforceable treaty that delivers justice and effective remedies victims of corporate human rights abuses
Over the weekend, our outreach team participated in the annual EleaThom Mentorship Seminar held at @Bowmans_Law to engage with law students and recent graduates about career opportunities in public interest law
CALS retweeted
PALU joins forces with the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA), the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, ICJ Kenya and fellow partners to advance corporate accountability and access to justice across Africa.
On 14 October 2026, we will participate in the Regional Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Strengthening Corporate Accountability and Human Rights Due Diligence in Africa, on the margins of the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The dialogue will bring together civil society, lawyers, human rights defenders and other stakeholders to explore:
▪️ Corporate accountability and mandatory human rights due diligence in Africa.
▪️ Corporate activities in conflict-affected economies, focusing on Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
▪️ African legal pathways, universal jurisdiction and strategic litigation to secure effective remedies.
The discussions will also connect natural resource governance and environmental protection with the African Union’s 2026 focus on water and sanitation.
Communities affected by corporate harm deserve protection, accountability and a clear path to justice.
🗓️14 October 2026
⏰ 14:00–18:00 GMT | 17:00–21:00 EAT
📍 Hotel Fleur De Lys, Dakar, Senegal, and online via Zoom
Registration is required. Join the dialogue: lnkd.in/dvsi7qfw
@AfricanACCA @CHR_HumanRights @ICJKenya @rfldorg @NaturalJustice @CALS_ZA @Trial @ISERUganda @endalead @Lsdsenegal
#PALU #CorporateAccountability #BusinessAndHumanRights #ACHPR89 #AccessToJustice #HumanRightsDueDiligence
Friday reading: Our @leeannegaertner unpacks the language and visual messages of election posters
mg.co.za/thought-leader/2026…
CALS retweeted
Day 2 of Making Africa’s Energy Transition Work asks how research and country experience can be translated into coordinated policy, international learning, and collective advocacy.
The programme includes:
Session 6: A policymakers’ roundtable on coordinating energy, trade, industrial policy, and environmental governance.
Session 7: A discussion of China’s role in renewable-energy manufacturing and the lessons for African and Global South industrialisation.
Session 8: An interactive session on advocacy, organising, and cooperation between labour and industry.
Closing session: A graphic harvest bringing together the conference's central themes and next steps
Friday, 9 October | 09:00–16:00 SAST
View the full programme and register to attend the plenary sessions virtually: iej.org.za/event/making-afri…
#MakingJETWork #JustEnergyTransition
Last week, Obakeng Ramare represented CALS at the African Business and Human Rights Forum held in Dakar, Senegal #AfricanBHRForum
Obakeng contributed to important conversations on corporate accountability, environmental justice, community power and access to information
Next week, Anesu Dera will be at the United Nations representing CALS at the next session of negotiations on the #UNBindingTreaty on business and human rights.
But, what is the #BindingTreaty? A short thread 🧵
To make the #BindingTreaty process truly meaningful, we urge that the treaty must work for people and not only for states
To achieve a sense of justice for communities facing corporate abuse, the treaty must be inclusive, enforceable and accessible to all
