Across the world, outdated and newer laws are continually being used to unfairly target poor and marginalised people because of who they are, rather than what they have done. At the same time, there is an increase in the use of criminal law to suppress activism and repress dissent. This often has a devastating effect on those who are already vulnerable.
Indeed, states regularly use the justice system against people for reasons that have little to do with the safety of citizens, but rather to protect inherited boundaries of power, wealth and privilege. This abuse of power has a profound cost in terms of human rights, manifesting itself in discrimination, the use of lethal force, torture, excessive imprisonment and inhumane conditions of detention.
There is a clear and urgent need to decriminalise laws that treat poverty, status or activism as a crime.
Since 2022, FIACAT has been part of a coalition of organisations around the world calling for the repeal of laws that target people because of their poverty, status and/or activism. Visit the campaign website.
Report of the 2022 annual meeting held in Stellenboch (South Africa).