Frontline human rights defenders condemn State and corporate abuses of law to oppress and criminalize marginalized communities at the intersection of multiple forms of structural discrimination. Human rights law carries with it the promise of transformative change toward social justice for the legal system, but it must be realized in practice. Around the world, impoverished and marginalized communities often face significant barriers to accessing justice due to economic, social, and political factors, including discrimination, lack of legal representation, and procedural obstacles hindering redress for violations and perpetuating cycles of injustice and inequality. Network members take seriously the maxim that there is no right without a remedy. Securing and expanding access to justice for economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights (ESCER) has therefore been a core goal of members’ advocacy since the start of the network.
Members work to recognize, safeguard and enforce ESCER through collective legal action before national courts as well as international and regional human rights justice mechanisms. ESCR-Net facilitates member-led advocacy on strengthening access to justice and organizes litigation workshops and exchanges connecting lawyers and movements across different regions. The network also works toward implementation of positive human rights decisions and promotes progressive jurisprudence on ESCER through its caselaw database.
