Our Work

The Right to Information (RTI) programme promotes use of access to information to advance and protect other fundamental rights. We work closely with partners throughout the region to identify opportunities where we can help to obtain information of significance to communities and establish important precedents, in turn helping strengthen civil society demands for effective RTI laws. We initiate and support cases to enable access to information that would bolster a local community's demand for basic human rights such as a healthy living environment, health, land, social, labour and economic rights. 

Use our quick guide to accessing information in Malawi

Read on avenues for RTI litigation: 'The legitimacy of supra-national judicial bodies'

See RTI laws in Southern Africa 

Malawi’s Karonga Locals Take on Mining Companies

Information needed for comminity to protect their environment

Residents of a mining community in Malawi's Karonga area demand public access to information on mining activities at Kayelekera Uranium Mine and Eland's Mwabulambo Coal Mine. Read the media report here.

Transparency on Zimbabwe’s ‘Dirty Diamonds’

SALC petitioned South African company, the New Reclamation Group, for access to information that will shed some light on its controversial mining operations in Marange Diamond fields of Zimbabwe to show whether any of its promises to the local community have been fulfilled. The petition was in terms of South Africa’s Promotion of Access to Information Act. It was done on behalf of South African Resource Watch and 3 Zimbabweans. See the press release and an analysis on private companies, human rights and the extractive industry here.