The above topic deals with the land use planning, the land-tenure and the deeds registration systems, applicable in former black urban and rural areas of KwaZulu Natal. These areas are divided into three categories, namely: 1. black townships on former black land (former KwaZulu townships); 2. rural or tribal land; and 3. black townships on former white land (Development Aid (DDA) townships). The writer firstly explains how the above categories of land were created in terms of the 1913 and 1936 land laws and how the administration and control of the first two categories was taken over by the former KwaZulu Legislative Assembly in 1986 whilst administration and control of the last category remained with the South African Development Trust. The writer critically analyses different pieces of legislation relating to the land system in the abovementioned categories of land. The writer further critically analyses the new land laws and their effect on the said land system. / Law / LL.M.

Abduction / Adultery / Assault / Constitution / Defamation / Delict / Grounds of justification / Indigenous law / Intention / Legal maxims / Legal system / Legal values / Living law / Malicious damage to property / Negligence / Rape / Remedies / Seduction / Theft / Trespass / Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / In die studie word bepaal of die verskynsel wat algemeen as delik getipeer word, bekend is aan die inheemse reg en of daar na inheemse deliktereg in die gewone sin van die woord verwys kan word. Aangesien die lewende reg van 'n groep beinvloed kan word deur die mate van verwestersing wat plaasgevind het, is 'n mikrostudie in 'n semistedelike gebied gedoen ten einde te bepaal of eie waarde-oordele verplaas en vervang word wanneer daar van Westerse regsinstellings gebruik gemaak word. lnligting is ingesamel deur middel van gesprekvoering met 'n paneel van kundige mans en vrouens en is getoets aan beskikbare literatuur. Daar is gepoog om nie net die regsbeginsels te identifiseer en te omskryf nie, maar om ook kennis te neem van daardie kultuurinstellings en sosiale prosesse wat buite die reg funksioneer. Alhoewel dit moontlik is om die algemene beginsels van 'n delik te identifiseer asook die verskeie subjektiewe regte waarop inbreuk gemaak kan word, moet die eiesoortige aard daarvan deurentyd in gedagte gehou en verreken word teen die ongespesialiseerde aard van die inheemse reg. Daar is gevind dat die inheemse deliktereg van die bestudeerde groep duidelike tekens toon van aanpassings by nuwe omstandighede, maar tog met behoud van beproefde regsbeginsels en menslike waardes. / This study ascertains whether the phenomenon typified as indigenous law of delict is known to indigenous law and whether reference may be made to indigenous law of delict in the usual sense of the word. As the living law may be influenced by the measure of westernisation that took place, a micro study has been carried out in a semi-urban area in order to ascertain whether own value judgments are replaced or substituted when Western legal institutions are used. Information has been collected by way of interviews with a panel of knowledgeable men and women and controlled by reference to available literature. An attempt was made not only to identify and define legal principles, but also to take note of those cultural institutions and social processes functioning outside the law. Although it is possible to identify the general principles of delict as well as several subjective rights that may be infringed, the peculiar nature of delict must be borne in mind and set off against the unspecialised nature of indigenous law. The indigenous law of delict shows clear signs of adaptation to new circumstances, but there is evidence of the retention of proven legal principles and human values. / Private Law / L.L. D.

This limited scope dissertation deals with the protection against torture in international law. The mechanisms which have been established over the years to protect individuals against torture are analysed. The principles of international customary law dealing with torture and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) have been examined against the failure by States to honour their obligations under the Treaty and other legal normative rules. This required deep exploration of the definition of torture and how States can compromise the rule of law by manipulating the definition of torture as contemplated by the Treaty or other instruments. Examples from the former US government highlight the ways in which domestic laws can be used and are continued to be used to allow the use of torture. Measures by South Africa in joining the international community in the fight against torture are also discussed as a case study. While all efforts have been made by the South African system to adopt desirable frame works on the protection of individuals against torture, the lack of education on torture remains the down fall of the system. The dissertation clearly explains that universal jurisdiction applies in respect of torture and this is recognised by both treaty law and customary law. Indeed despite all the current measures in place the use of torture persists. The research clearly reveals that countries hide behind their own laws to perpetrate acts of torture. It is then recommended that proper implementation of the legal structures, informed of the objectives of the structures, is essential in completely eradicating torture. / Public, Constitutional, and International Law / LLM

At the dawn of democratic rule in the period 1994–1998, South Africa concluded 15 bilateral investment treaties (BITs), mostly with European nations. Some of these treaties were concluded before the Constitution of 1996. The country has since concluded a total of 47 BITs, with the majority not in effect as they were not ratified per the required constitutional processes. The policy decision to enter into BITs was taken by the African National Congress (ANC) government, led by the late former state president Nelson Mandela. The BITs were seen as an important guarantee to attract foreign investment into the country. The aim was to provide added assurance that foreign investments were safe in a democratic South Africa after many years of international isolation and sanctions. The conventional wisdom at the time was that BITs would increase foreign investor appetite to invest and the country would experience rising levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) as a result. This would facilitate economic growth and the transition of the country into the global economy. South Africa concluded BITs with seven of the top ten investor countries. In October 2013 the South African government cancelled a number of BITs with these European countries invested in South Africa. These countries – namely Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands – complained of lack of consultation by the South Africans. On 1 November 2013 the Minister of Trade and Industry published, in Government Gazette No 36995, the Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill (PPIB or Investments Bill) as the proposed primary legislative instrument for the protection of foreign investments. This created much uncertainty among many European nations as well as in the United States of America (US), who were concerned about the motivation for cancelling bilateral treaties in favour of domestic legislation. BITs had been a part of the policy instruments regulating foreign investments in the country for over 20 years. Globally these treaties have been used to regulate foreign investments in a number of areas, and to provide protection to investments such as full protection and security, guaranteed pre-establishment rights, ease of repatriation of funds, most-favoured nation, fair and equitable treatment, national treatment and efficient dispute settlement mechanisms, among other provisions. In most cases international arbitration via the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and other international arbitral mediums has been a standard provision in the treaties. This has allowed foreign investors to bypass host countries’ legal systems. The latter is believed to be a significant inducement for foreign investors, guaranteeing that should a dispute arise, or if an expropriation occurs, the investor could institute an international arbitral process against the host government. International arbitration is preferred by foreign investors for the reason that, in some cases, domestic courts may lack independence from the state, and may make partial rulings that do not protect investors. Furthermore, international arbitration processes are more efficient and produce rulings faster than domestic courts, which are usually burdened with bureaucratic procedures and limited resources. In cases where delay exacerbates injury, prompt resolution of disputes is preferable. This study evaluates the Investments Bill and the rationale applied by the government of South Africa to cancel BITs with major trade and investment partners in favour of this legislation. The thesis focuses on the Investments Bill, in light of the objective provided by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for its enactment to law. The Investments Bill is subjected to a constitutional analysis to determine its compliance therewith. Comparisons are also made between the Investments Bill provisions and the prevailing international law principles on foreign investments. The Investments Bill is then critically evaluated against emerging trends on FDI regulation on the African continent to determine its congruence or lack thereof with best practice recommendations at regional economic community (REC) and African Union (AU) level. The thesis concludes with a set of policy recommendations to the DTI on how to improve South African policies related to the regulation of foreign investments taking into account the national imperative as well as Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other broader African continental objectives of harmonisation of FDI regulation, including the Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) implementation. The timing of this thesis is significant for South Africa. It adds to various deliberations that are taking place as the Investments Bill is set to makes its way through the legislative approval processes in 2015. The Bill has been met with opposition from some segments of society. Others have expressed support – including several state departments, the ANC, the South African Communist Party (SACP) and other political formations. The summary of findings contained in the thesis will be presented to the DTI to influence policy directions of the state in terms of foreign investment regulations. Should the Bill be enacted, the Minister of Trade and Industry is required to promulgate the dispute resolution mechanism that will govern investment disputes. The findings of this study will be important to the determination of how such dispute resolution mechanisms may function. Furthermore, in 2010 Cabinet instructed the DTI to develop a model new-generation BIT Template to be utilised by South Africa, should a compelling reason arise to enter into bilateral agreements. The research results will assist policy-makers to develop policies that are consistent with and align with the overarching Africa strategy that has been heavily promoted by South Africa. The country faces a number of challenges, particularly those related to low economic growth, high levels of poverty, unemployment and record levels of inequality. The gap between the rich and poor, in terms of the Gini coefficient, was 0,67 based on the World Bank Development Research Group Report of 2010. It is reported as one of the highest in the world and is believed to have worsened since the dawn of democracy. / Public, Constitutional and International Law / LL. D. (Public, Constitutional and International Law)

Les savoirs traditionnels médicinaux c’est-à-dire l’aspect de la médecine traditionnelle portant sur des connaissances relatives au médicament traditionnel à base de plantes, qui part de la collecte des végétaux jusqu’au produit final, constituent un élément important dans la réalisation de la couverture des besoins de santé publique. En Afrique, les savoirs traditionnels médicinaux contribuent selon l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) à hauteur de 80% des besoins de santé des populations. Les savoirs traditionnels médicinaux représentent une source d’informations notamment dans la perspective d’une éradication des maladies endémiques du continent africain. L’OMS, et l’Union africaine (UA) voient dans les savoirs traditionnels médicinaux une piste de recherche en vue du développement de nouveaux médicaments à des prix abordables. Leur importance est aussi constatée au niveau de l’industrie du médicament où ils représentent 30% de la recherche dans l’industrie pharmaceutique et l’essentiel des informations dans le secteur des phytomédicaments. Cette appétence pour les savoirs traditionnels médicinaux ainsi que la médiatisation des actes de biopiraterie, ont contribué à renforcer leur valeur (sur les plans scientifique, économique, social et politique) et à justifier la nécessité de les protéger. Cependant, contrairement à la tendance actuelle des pays africains, l’Organisation africaine de la propriété intellectuelle (OAPI), à travers son Accord de Bangui révisé, ne dispose pas de mécanismes de propriété intellectuelle permettant une protection satisfaisante des droits des détenteurs de savoirs traditionnels médicinaux (tradipraticiens, familles, communautés autochtones et locales). Face à ce qui s’apparente à un vide juridique, il convient de s’interroger sur le régime juridique à mettre en place. Autrement dit, quel système sui generis de protection des savoirs traditionnels médicinaux faut-il envisager pour les pays membres de l’OAPI? C’est à cette interrogation que la présente étude se propose d’apporter des éléments de réponses. L’objectif visé sera de démontrer, dans le cadre d’une démarche prospective prenant appui notamment sur les droits de l’homme, le droit international de la propriété intellectuelle, le droit civil, le droit de la biodiversité, et les lois nationales, en particulier, celles de la République du Congo (Brazzaville), qu’il est possible d’établir au sein de l’OAPI un régime juridique cohérent et adapté à même de répondre aux besoins et attentes des différents acteurs intervenant dans l’exploitation de ces créations intellectuelles. / Traditional medical knowledge, which is the aspect of traditional medicine relating to the knowledge of plant-based therapy and which goes from collecting plants to issuing a finished product, is a key component for providing health care coverage for all. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), traditional medical knowledge contributes about 80% of primary health care in Africa. Traditional medical knowledge is perceived as a valuable source of information useful to eradicate African endemic diseases. The WHO and the African Union (AU) consider that traditional medical knowledge is a serious way for researchers to develop new and affordable drugs. Traditional medicinal knowledge is also important for the drug industry where it represents 30% of the researches made in the pharmaceutical sector and constitutes the main source of information in the herbal medicine sector. The drug industry’s increasing interest for traditional medical and the huge media coverage for biopiracy cases strengthened the (scientific, economic, social and politic) value of traditional medicinal knowledge and contribute to justify their protection. However contrary to the current trend in many African countries, it appears that the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) and the Bangui Agreement, does not provide any suitable legal protective mechanism for the intellectual property rights of the holders of traditional medical knowledge (traditional healers, families, indigenous and local communities).In view of the limits and weaknesses of the intellectual property mechanisms to provide an effective protection to traditional medicinal knowledge’s holders, it is quite legitimate to question the legal mechanism or system to implement. In other words, what type of sui generis protection OAPI members can enact to protect traditional medicinal knowledge? This is the question that the present study intends to answer. The aim is to demonstrate from a prospective approach with regards to human rights, international intellectual property law, civil law, biodiversity law, and national laws, in particular the ones of the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), that it is possible to build a coherent and adapted legal regime.

Magister Legum - LLM / Even though sexual violence has always been a part and parcel of conflicts and atrocities throughout the ages, it never found any interpretation by subsequent tribunals who were responsible for prosecuting offenders.The case of The Prosecutor v Jean-Paul Akayesu was the first of its kind to give jurisprudential recognition and interpretation to sexual violence as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide respectively. This case was important for the following reasons:1. It acknowledged that sexual violence can amount to an act of genocide; 2. It acknowledged that sexual violence can amount to a crime against humanity; and 3. It was the first case to define rape within an international context.Following the case of The Prosecutor v Jean-Paul Akayesu many tribunals gave recognition to the extent of which sexual violence takes place during atrocities by correctly convicting accused for either participating in sexual violence or aiding and abetting to sexual violence. Amidst the various interpretations on what constitutes sexual violence and how it is defined, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the Special Court for Sierra Leone all either conceptualised sexual violence as genocide, war crimes or/ and crimes against humanity.At the same time, the development of sexual violence as either a crime against humanity or a war crime did not end with the courts. The case of The Prosecutor v Jean-Paul Akayesu sparked a fire in the international community, which led to it paying more attention to the place of sexual violence in treaty law. Taking into account that rape is listed as a crime against humanity in both the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda statutes, the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the International Criminal Court statutes both list more than one form of sexual violence as a crime against humanity. It is interesting to note that the latter two treaty developments took place only after the International Criminal Tribunal conceptualised sexual violence as a crime against humanity.Thus apart from merely listing rape as a crime against humanity, the Statute establishing the Special Court for Sierra Leone, states in article 2(g) that sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy and any other form of sexual violence constitutes a crime against humanity. The Statute establishing the International Criminal Court states in article 7(1)(g) that rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilisation or any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity constitutes a crime against humanity. The interpretation of these acts is further guided by the ‘Elements of Crimes’ which are annexed to the International Criminal Court statute.Once again it is interesting to note that the ‘Elements of Crimes’ for these acts are similar to how the International Criminal Tribunals (both the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda tribunals) conceptualised various acts of sexual violence.On the other hand, the definition of genocide remained the same as it was defined in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948. This definition does not expressly mention any form of sexual violence as a form of genocide.However, once again, the trial chamber in the case of The Prosecutor v Jean-Paul Akayesu set the benchmark for sexual violence to constitute a form of genocide by way of interpretation. The definition of genocide did not subsequently change in the Statute establishing the International Criminal Court.Based on these premises, this thesis attempts to investigate the similarities and differences in sexual violence as a form of both genocide and a crime against humanity,by addressing the following question:What are the essential and practical differences between sexual violence as crimes against humanity and genocide and what is the legal effect of the differences, should there be any? Chapter 1 highlights the historical overview and developments of sexual violence as genocide and crimes against humanity, while chapter 2 investigates how sexual violence can amount to a form of genocide. Chapter 3 assesses the advances made in sexual violence as a crime against humanity, while chapter 4 importantly draws a comparative analysis between sexual violence as genocide and a crime against humanity. Chapter 4 draws this comparison by weighing up four differences and four similarities in sexual violence as genocide and a crime against humanity.Chapter 5 highlights the conclusion and provides an answer for the research question that is posed above. Here it is concluded that even though there exist multiple differences in sexual violence as crimes against humanity and genocide, there are also multiple similarities which could possibly amount to a better chance for conviction of an accused under a crime against humanity than genocide. Chapter 5 also provide possible recommendations for the consequences that might flow should sexual violence as a crime against humanity be fairly similar to sexual violence as genocide.

Le régime juridique de l'Enfant Associé aux Forces et Groupes Armés âgé de plus de quinze ans auteurs d'infractions graves est incohérent. En effet, il permet à son titulaire d'obtenir le statut de combattant, sans que pour autant sa responsabilité ne soit automatiquement engagée en cas de commission d'infractions graves. Cette situation s'explique par le fait que la communauté internationale est divisée sur sa nature juridique: il est perçu en tant que victime ou criminel. Cette incertitude a pour conséquence de créer de l'insécurité juridique car il ne sais pas au préalable quel sort lui sera réservé par la Justice. Cette réalité profite au recruteur qui le pousse à commettre les crimes les plus graves. L'enfant se sent ainsi tout-puissant. Toutefois, à l'issue du conflit, il risque d'être rejeté par sa communauté l'identifiant en tant que bourreau. Sa réinsertion est donc compromise. Afin de pallier cette situation, une harmonisation de l'âge du combattant devrait être envisagée afin de clarifier son régime de responsabilité. En attendant, le stand minimal est de quinze ans. S'il n'est pas considéré comme étant trop jeune pour prendre les armes, il doit être aussi en capacité de rendre des comptes. Mais comment ? À travers la Justice Transitionnelle de manière générale et plus précisément par la création d'un Tribunal Spécial pour Enfants Auteurs d'Infractions Graves qui a pour fonction de juger ceux qui ont le plus au degré de responsabilité dans la commission des crimes. Pour les autres, il est envisagé la valorisation de mécanismes de Justice Restauratrice qui répondent à leurs besoins, à celles de leurs victimes et de leur communauté tout entière. / The legal justice mechanism of the Child Associated with Armed Forces and Groups of more than fifteen years old of serious offenders is inconsistent. In fact, this kid's allowed to obtain the combatant status even if he never assumes automatically his responsibilities when he commits serious offences. It's because the international community is divided and considers him as a victim or a criminal. This uncertainty creates the effect of legal insecurity since he doesn't know how he'll be treated by Justice. This situation benefits to his recruiter who encourages him to commit the most serous crimes. The child feels almighty. But at the end of the conflict, he may probably rejected by this community who considers him as an executioner. So, his reintegration is compromise. To rectify this situation, harmonizing the age of the fighter should be a solution to clarity his accountability status. For the moment, fifteen years old appears as minimum standard. If the child isn't so youth to take arms, he can bear his accountability. But how? Whith Transitional Justice in general and more specifically the creation of a Special Court for Serious Violations which judge those who have the highest level of responsibility in the commission of the crime. For the others, we propose Restorative Justice that meet their needs, those of their victims and their entire community.

Thèse réalisée en cotutelle entre l'Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne et l'Université de Montréal. / Au-delà des conceptions étatiques de la représentation politique, liées à l’expression parlementaire de la volonté générale ou à l’élection, la présente étude envisage d’autres mécanismes de représentation, à travers l’analyse du statut coutumier particulier des populations autochtones. La conception coutumière de la représentation peut se traduire par la désignation non électorale des représentants et par une délibération consensuelle dont les décisions sont imputables à la communauté qui y prend part. Dès lors, comment la représentation coutumière peut-elle coexister avec les conceptions étatiques de la représentation politique, telles qu’elles sont définies en droit, avec une certaine ambivalence, par l’expression de la volonté générale ou par l’expression des urnes ? L’analyse historique et comparative permet d’apporter une réponse éclairée par les expériences juridiques canadiennes et françaises. L’étude porte d’abord sur les tensions persistantes au sein des systèmes de représentation, oscillant entre l’uniformisation des conceptions et la survivance des coutumes. Elle s’intéresse, ensuite, aux récentes solutions d’harmonisation, permises par l’adaptation des droits positifs canadien et français : les éléments communs de la représentation tendent à s’organiser au sein d’institutions partagées et les dissemblances, par des institutions représentatives autonomes. Il en ressort que, loin d’être toujours conflictuelle, la coexistence des systèmes de représentation et des conceptions qui en résultent pourrait être vectrice d’un équilibre et d’un enrichissement certain pour la représentation politique dans son ensemble. / Beyond state conceptions of political representation related to the parliamentary expression of the general will or to elections, the present study considers other mechanisms of representation, through the analysis of the particular customary status of indigenous communities. The customary conception of representation can take the form of the non-electoral designation of representatives and consensual deliberation whose decisions are accountable to the community that takes part in it. Hence, how can customary representation coexist with state conceptions of political representation, as defined in law, with some ambivalence, as the expression of the general will or the expression of the ballot ? A historical and comparative analysis of the Canadian and French legal provide insights pertinent to that question. The study begins with the persistent tensions within the systems of representation, oscillating between the unification of concepts and the survival of customs. Then, the study highlights recent harmonization efforts, made possible by the adaptation of Canadian and French positive law : the common elements of representation tend to be organized within shared institutions and the dissimilarities, by autonomous representative institutions. It concludes that, far from being always conflicting, the coexistence of representation systems and the resulting conceptions could be a carrier of balance and enrichment for political representation as a whole.

No description available.

Water has been used for military purposes in the past and still continues today, i.e. poisoning of enemy water, attacking enemy water installations, etc. This conduct denies access to water, affects the supply of water, health, supply of electricity, etc. Public international law, such as treaties (e.g. The 1949 Geneva Conventions), customary international law, etc, regulate the protection of water during armed conflict. Chapter I of the dissertation analizes the public international law ire the abovementioned. The application of public inteniational law, depends on the municipal law of the state concerned. This municipal law is, in the case of South Africa, found in the 1996 Constitution. The 1996 Constitution contains specific provisions regarding inter alia the legal obligations of the South African security services, the legal status of international agreements, as well as the application of customary international law and international law. Chapter II of the dissertation analizes the abovementioned wrt the legal obligations of the SA National Defence Force ire the subject matter. / Constitutional, International & Indigenous Law / LL.M. (Public International Law)