In the process of challenging the Nigerian government’s human rights abuses and complicity in environmental destruction in the Niger Delta, a diverse group of communities came together to exercise their voice and hold the government accountable before the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. The case succeeded on putting the governments abuses on record, […]
Content type: Resource Bank
Data type: Legal citations,
Legal Topic: Economic and social rights, Land rights, Public interest litigation (general),
The complainants, two NGOs, raised the case against Kenya on behalf of the Enderois people following the forceful removal of the Enderois people from their ancestral lands surrounding lake Bogoria, Baringo, and Koiatek without consultation or compensation. The reason for this removal was to expand the Lake Hannington Game Reserve to increase revenue from tourism. […]
Content type: Resource Bank
Data type: Legal citations,
Legal Topic: Land rights, Public interest litigation (general),
After you have decided what court to bring a case in, you have to work out what procedural steps you need to take in order to bring a valid claim. Key steps often include: Notification: Letting the defendant know you intend to bring a claim; Filing your claim in court: Formally submitting your «claim form» and submissions […]
Content type: Going to court: Q and A
Legal Topic: Public interest litigation (general),
The family of a person who died in military custody at an airport brought a claim against the State for violating the deceased’s right to liberty, and other rights. The IACtHR held that the failure to present reasons for the detention or a charge amounted to an arbitrary detention and a violation of the right […]
Content type: Resource Bank
Data type: Legal citations,
Legal Topic: Detention,
This provides courts in Pakistan with the power to issue a writ of habeas corpus to demand that people unlawfully held in detention can be released. The Pakistani Supreme Court has exercised this power in many cases, including: Government of West Pakistan v. Begum Agha Abdul Karim Shorish Kashmiri Muhammad Azam Malik v. A.C. Karachi
Content type: Resource Bank
Data type: Legal citations,
Legal Topic: Detention,
Mr. Aguilar-Rodrigez was a national of El Salvador who lived in the USA after fleeing El Salvador. In 2011 he was stopped by police for speeding, but never received a speeding ticket. The police alleged that he was intoxicated and served a 13-day jail term. Instead of being released, he was transferred to Immigration and […]
Content type: Resource Bank
Data type: Legal citations,
Legal Topic: Detention,
The Constitution of Ghana says that “every person in Ghana, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, religion, creed or gender shall be entitled to the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual … but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest“.
Content type: Resource Bank
Data type: Legal citations,
Legal Topic: Detention,
Mr. Mukong was a journalist, writer and opponent of the one-party system in Cameroon. He was arrested following an interview with the BBC in which he criticised the President of Cameroon and its Government. He was detained without charge for a prolonged period, despite repeated requests for information on the reason for his detention. The […]
Content type: Resource Bank
Data type: Legal citations,
Legal Topic: Detention,
Content type: Resource Bank
Data type: Legal citations,
Legal Topic: Detention,
This is a foundational human rights instrument. Although not binding, it was the first authoritative statement of rights that are now set out in multiple human rights treaties and constitutions.
Content type: Resource Bank
Data type: Legal citations,
Legal Topic: Detention,
