The Institute’s work covers four major human rights areas, namely children’s rights, socio-economic rights, multilevel government and criminal justice.

The Children’s Rights Project (CRP), headed by Prof Benyam Dawit Mezmur, undertakes research, advocacy, and technical support activities related to the formulation and implementation of law and policy in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (African Children’s Charter).

Africa Criminal Justice Reform (ACJR) is headed by Associate Prof Lukas Muntingh, and the project engages in high-quality research and advocacy on criminal justice reform and human rights in Africa. The work supports targeted evidence-based advocacy and policy development promoting good governance and human rights in criminal justice systems. ACJR promotes policy, law and practice reform based on evidence.

Prof Jaap de Visser is the Acting SARChI Chair in Multilevel Government, Law and Development. The Chair focuses on advancing development in South Africa and Africa through multi-level governance (MLG) embedded in the rule of law. It works closely together with the Multilevel Government, Law and Development (MLG), headed by Associate Prof Tinashe Carlton Chigwata.

The Socio-Economic Rights Project (SERP), headed by Prof Ebenezer Durojaye, promotes the realisation of socio-economic rights in South Africa and the African region. It conducts engaged, multi-disciplinary research, human rights education and actively campaigns around key social justice issues.