The present publication, no. 2 in the “Geneva Forum Series”, reflects the discussions at the 2014 Geneva Forum of Judges and Lawyers on judicial enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights.
The development and global acceptance of the justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights has been a slow and lengthy process, despite a growing consensus that it is possible to have recourse to courts to seek their enforcement.
The discussion is hence no longer whether these rights are justiciable, but how the remaining obstacles to access to justice and the enjoyment of the right to an effective remedy by victims of violations of these rights can be overcome.
At the 2014 Geneva Forum of Judges and Lawyers, participants discussed the progress to date as regards the legal and judicial enforcement and protection of economic, social and cultural rights; respecting the separation of powers while ensuring effective judicial protection; and, challenges and obstacles in the judicial enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights.
The ICJ has convened the Geneva Forum of Judges and Lawyers each year since 2010.
Organized by the ICJ’s Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, the Forum gathers legal practitioners from around the world for dialogue aimed at identifying and finding practical solutions to the challenges their professions face.
Improved judicial protection of human rights is the underlying motivation and theme for the Forums.
The Geneva Forum Series seeks to provide a permanent record of the discussions.
Download the full report here:
Universal-Judicial Enforcement ESCR Geneva Forum Series 2-Publications-Conference Report-2015-ENG