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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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11/19/2024
Plaintiff Mohd. Abdul Qasim filed a claim for title over a piece of forest land in Kompally, a suburb of Hyderabad in the State of Telangana, citing an error in the initial 1950’s survey of the land. The High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for the State of Telangana dismissed...
06/03/2024
In November 1970 and again in July 1975, the Congolese government passed laws establishing the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (PNKB) area as a park and as a result forcibly evicting the indigenous Batwa communities living there. The Batwa are recognized by other indigenous communities in DRC as the original inhabitants and...
01/30/2023
Ashghar Leghari, a farmer and lawyer, sued the Pakistani government for inaction vis-a-vis climate change, claiming that this inaction, “delay, and lack of seriousness” violated the fundamental rights of life provided by the Constitution, since climate change posed a serious threat to water, food, and energy security in Pakistan. Further,...
09/14/2021