Deadline: July 31, 2026
Applications are open for the Media Defence/The Kennedy Human Rights Center/Vuka Sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery 2026. Lawyers who work and live in Sub-Saharan Africa are invited to participate in an upcoming litigation surgery, a workshop focused on advancing the protection of human rights through strategic litigation. The program will explore key issues relating to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, and the protection of human rights defenders.
Participants will learn from specialists, strengthen their understanding of relevant legal frameworks and strategic litigation approaches, and take part in practical sessions where they present and discuss cases they are working on with peers and specialists. The litigation surgery will focus on developing effective litigation strategies, strengthening case preparation, and exploring the use of national, regional, and international mechanisms to address violations of these rights.
The litigation surgery will:
- Equip participants with the skills and knowledge to pursue strategic litigation using national and international legal frameworks and relevant human rights mechanisms.
- Strengthen participants’ capacity to respond to threats affecting freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, and human rights defenders.
- Foster a network of lawyers working on related human rights cases and facilitate engagement with regional and international legal mechanisms and civil society initiatives.
- Support collaboration and the exchange of experiences among lawyers undertaking strategic litigation across the region.
- Provide a platform for sharing practical litigation strategies, receiving peer feedback, and developing approaches to complex legal challenges.
The litigation surgery will take place in-person, from October 2nd – 4th, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya. This will feature expert-led sessions, case-based discussions, and peer learning activities. A maximum of 15 participants will be selected.
Benefits
For successful applicants, Media Defence will provide:
- Return travel from your home country to Nairobi, Kenya.
- Accommodation for the day before and the duration of the litigation surgery.
- Expenses for travel to and from the airport in your home country and Nairobi, Kenya.
- Reimbursement for visa costs (please note that participants will be responsible for arranging and covering any visa requirements necessary for their participation).
- A per diem, the rate is to be determined, for travel days as well as the duration of the litigation surgery and conference.
Eligibility
Applicants should:
- Be qualified lawyers who currently work and reside in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Demonstrate working proficiency in the English language.
- Be in private practice or affiliated with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that promotes human rights through litigation in the region, including but not limited to freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, and other human rights.
- Demonstrate experience, interest in, or knowledge of freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, digital rights, internet freedom, or related areas.
- Demonstrate knowledge of, or experience engaging with, international and regional human rights law.
- Submit a case study as part of the application involving a violation of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, the rights of human rights defenders, or related human rights issues. The case may be one that you are currently litigating or intend to litigate. Applicants without a pending case may instead identify a relevant law, practice, or policy they wish to challenge through litigation, but must demonstrate both the ability and willingness to pursue the matter following the litigation surgery.
- Strong applications from lawyers without prior experience in other human rights issues and a demonstrated commitment to working in this area, will also be considered.
- The following is a non-exhaustive list of potential case topics that may be submitted as part of the application:
- Defamation (criminal or civil)
- Violence against journalists, including physical attacks and online violence
- Restrictions on online or print media
- Online privacy and digital rights
- Spyware and unlawful surveillance
- National security measures affecting freedom of expression
- Restrictions on freedom of assembly and association
- Legal and regulatory measures affecting human rights defenders
Application
The deadline for applications is July 31st, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and they may close the call early if they receive a high volume of submissions.
Complete the online application or send the completed application form to [email protected].
For more information, visit Sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery.
