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.

Subscribe to our Justice Newsletter

07/22/2010

Case Law | Enforcement/Implementation of ESCR

Judgment T-821/07

In September 2006, seven hooded and armed men kidnapped Rosmira Serrano Quintero’s partner and killed her father, then told her to leave El Limoncito, where she lived, or else she and her daughters would also be killed, so she fled. In November 2006, she requested registration of herself and her...

04/13/2010

Case Law | Development

South Fork Band and others v. United States DOI, 588 F.3d 718, (2009)

In this case, the South Fork Band and other Western Shoshone tribes were appealing a lower court decision denying an injunction[1] against the construction of the gold mine. In their appeal to the Court, the South Fork Band argued that an injunction should be granted against Barrick Cortez because the...

04/12/2010

Case Law | Cultural Rights

Centre for Minority Rights Development (Kenya) and Minority Rights Group International on behalf of Endorois Welfare Council v. Kenya, 276/2003

In the 1970s, the Kenyan government evicted hundreds of Endorois families from their land around the Lake Bogoria area in the Rift Valley to create a game reserve for tourism. The Endorois, an indigenous people, had been promised compensation and benefits, but these were never fully implemented, and the community’s...

10/14/2009

Case Law | Corporate Accountability

John Doe I, et al., v. UNOCAL Corp., et al., 395 F.3d 932 (9 Cir. 2002)

11/10/2006

Case Law | Cultural Rights

Asociación de Comunidades Aborígenes Lhaka Honhat. Caso Nº 12.094. [ENG]

10/18/2006

Case Law | Development

U´wa Indigenous Community / Precautionary Measures. Case Nº 11.754. [ENG]

10/12/2006

Case Law | Cultural Rights

Comunidad Yanomami. Caso Nº 7615. Resolución Nº 12/85. [ENG]