Book launch and panel discussion: The Struggle for Historic Land Rights: Are the Courts Helping?

Professor Jérémie Gilbert of the University of East London will present a new study on the impacts of strategic (public interest) litigation on indigenous peoples’ land rights. This empirical study draws on scores of original interviews with community members, litigators and activists from Kenya, Malaysia and Paraguay, which have seen some of the world’s most important judicial decisions on indigenous peoples’ land rights. Held in conjunction with the launch of the report at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the discussions aim to articulate insights into the use of strategic litigation as a social-change agent. They might be relevant to all indigenous communities taking or considering strategic legal action to assert their rights over their ancestral lands. 

The study, commissioned by the Open Society Justice Initiative, is the third in a five-part inquiry exploring the impacts of strategic litigation in a variety of human rights areas around the world.  The previous reports examine impacts on Roma and education desegregation in Europe and equal access to quality education in Brazil, India and South Africa. 

• Erika Dailey (moderator), Open Society Justice Initiative
• Óscar Ayala, Tierraviva, Paraguay
• Jérémie Gilbert, University of East London
• Christine Kandie, Endorois Welfare Council, Kenya
• Colin Nicholas, Centre for Orang Asli Concerns, Malaysia   

The event is co-hosted by the Open Society Justice Initiative, the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) and Minority Rights Group. All are welcome.