As nations from around the world scramble to secure lucrative contracts to develop southern Sudan following the signing of a peace deal in January, one of the war-torn country's minority groups is preparing for a fresh battle. During the 21-year conflict between the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), the Nuba people were anomalies: Muslim camel keepers who fought side by side with the black, largely Christian, cattle herders of southern Sudan against the repressive Islamic rulers in Khartoum.

The French government ministers, judges and senior police officers are allowing members of the police force to use excessive and sometimes lethal force against suspects of Arab and African origin without fear of serious repercussions, Amnesty International says. In its report 'France: The Search for Justice', through 10 years of documenting and exposing cases, Amnesty International has uncovered evidence of widespread failure of the judicial system to prosecute and punish human rights violations.

Breastfeeding of babies by a non-biological caregiver with HIV is one of the most important factors associated with HIV infection in children. A study released in Cape Town this week also found that there is a potential for health-care acquired transmission of HIV in the maternity, paediatric and dental facilities in the Free State health institutions. It was revealed that besides the most obvious route of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, breastfeeding of babies by a non-biological HIV positive caregiver was the single most important factor associated with HIV infection in children.

In a country where access to justice remains elusive for many, the equality courts provide a forum for the poor and marginalised to assert their rights and seek redress. They also provide a wonderful opportunity for the judiciary — currently experiencing its own difficulties — to make a contribution to the advancement of equality and the eradication of discrimination. While court cases are essentially about facts and the law, they nevertheless serve as powerful tools of advocacy and education, and their pronouncements can begin to shape and influence social behaviour.