Caselaw Database

This is a database of positive domestic, regional and international legal decisions from around the world regarding economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights (ESCER). These case summaries provide greater awareness about ESCER issues globally, effective litigation strategies, progressive jurisprudence, and enforcement efforts. Our case summaries are available in English and Spanish, with more recent entries also available in French and Arabic.

The caselaw database is made possible by the support of ESCR-Net members, many of whom have contributed or reviewed cases, as well as several allies. ESCR-Net expresses its special appreciation to the Program on Human Rights and the Global Economy at Northeastern University (PHRGE), which provides ongoing support to the case database. To suggest additional cases for inclusion, contact Felipe Mesel, Strategic Litigation Working Group Program Coordinator, at fmesel@escr-net.org.

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07/23/2014

Case Law | Adequate Standard of Living (right to)

Case of the Indigenous Community Xákmok Kásek v. Paraguay

The Xákmok Kásek indigenous community, who has originally lived in the Paraguayan Chaco area, filed a petition before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights requesting acknowledgement of their traditional territory. Paraguay sold and split up the land without taking into consideration the indigenous population. The Salazar ranch was founded in...

04/28/2014

Case Law | Children's and Young Persons’ Rights

Madzodzo et al v. Minister of Basic Education et al

This 2014 decision was handed down after three rounds of litigation. In 2012 applicants sought a court order directing the delivery of school furniture to three rural schools in dire need of furniture; a declaration that the State had violated children’s right to education by failing to provide “adequate, age...

04/30/2013

Case Law | Children's and Young Persons’ Rights

Head of Department: Mpumalanga Department of Education and Another v. Hoerskool Ermelo and Another

This case concerns a 2009 appeal before the Constitutional Court of South Africa, brought by the Head of the Mpumalanga Department of Education (HoD). The (HoD) sought to overturn a lower court ruling that upheld the language instruction policy of the governing body of the public high school, Hoërskool Ermelo(HE),...

02/21/2013

Case Law | Disability (Persons with)

Sinnott v. Minister for Education [2001] IESC 63; [2001] 2 IR 505 (12th July, 2001)

01/30/2013

Case Law | Children's and Young Persons’ Rights

Cronin v. Minister for Education and Science

01/11/2013

Case Law | Education (Right to)

Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483

12/14/2012

Case Law | Children's and Young Persons’ Rights

O’Donoghue v. Minister for Health & Ors, [1993] I.E.H.C.2 (Ir.)