Another landmark ruling – Tue, January 17 2023

Last week, two lecturers, a student and a content creator joined forces in filing a judicial review motion with the Constitutional Court in their effort to remove controversial provisions from the new penal code, which they deem undemocratic as they could lead to the imprisonment of people for insulting a sitting president and the government.

It is not an exaggeration for us to suggest that the petition represents the voices and minds of the silent majority in this country, who are concerned, even frustrated, by the creeping regression of democracy in the country. The new Criminal Code, despite the noble intentions of the drafters to decolonize the law, is one of the manifestations of this democratic setback.

Specifically, the petitioners demand that the court annul articles 218, 219, 240 and 241.