ESCR-Net: Caselaw

International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
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Caselaw

ESCR-Net Caselaw Database: A database of ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS related jurisprudence, cases and other decisions

WELCOME TO THE ESCR-NET CASELAW DATABASE, a collaborative project developed under the leadership of the Centre for Legal and Social Studies (CELS) in Argentina; the Geneva-based Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) ; Centro de Estudios de Derecho, Justicia y Sociedad - DeJusticia, in Colombia; the Human Rights Centre at Queens University Belfast in Northern Ireland; the Social Rights Advocacy Centre (SRAC) in Canada, and the Social and Economic Rights Programme of the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights at the University of Oslo, Norway and in collaboration with many other groups and individuals working to advance economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) throughout the world.

The Caselaw database makes ESCR-related pleadings, commentary and decisions available to a wide audience of ESCR activists and defenders from a range of countries, legal traditions and languages (Spanish and English). In doing so, it serves to facilitate the exchange of information and strategies.

Our GOALS are:

to encourage discussion of crucial challenges for ESCR advocacy and to inspire joint projects and actions to address those challenges

to disseminate tools for a rights-based approach to economic and social justice, and to encourage the use of legal strategies as valid and effective means for claiming economic, social and cultural rights

to increase collaboration and facilitate the exchange of information among NGOs, community-based organizations and other civil society organizations working towards claiming the fulfillment of economic and social rights

The database is a work in progress and we hope to develop it further with the involvement of interested ESCR advocates and organizations.

Highlighted Issue Areas:

Women's ESCR

Right to Health

Corporate Accountability

Trade, Investment and Finance

Get involved!

Please subscribe to the justiciability listserve to send proposals, new cases, and information or share strategies with other ESCR advocates interested on ESCR enforceability.

Please contact us at rbrown@escr-net.org or write to the justiciability group if you:
- are interested in getting involved in this project
- have additional information on these or other cases or translations of legal documents or secondary documentation
- know of other important cases that should be added
- want to share new strategies to adjudicate ESCR
- have proposals for joint actions and project on ESCR adjudication

How Do We Select Cases for the Caselaw Database?

We wish to express our thanks and appreciation to all the advocates, researchers and rights claimants who contributed to the creation of this database.

View All Cases >

Additional Resources

ESCR-Justice: Monthly Caselaw Update

New Issue! ESCR-Justice is a monthly update highlighting an important economic, social or cultural rights case that has been added to the Caselaw Database.

Resource Page on Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR)

Proceedings before domestic courts, administrative tribunals, international judicial and quasi-judicial bodies and other legal entities are key avenues through which the implementation of ESCR may be advanced.

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Caselaw

Additional Resources

ESCR-Justice: Monthly Caselaw Update

Resource Page on Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR)