Considering strategic litigation as an advocacy tool: a case study of the defence of reproductive rights in Colombia

Abstract

Women’s Link Worldwide developed a test to determine when an environment is conducive to social change through strategic litigation. We first present our understanding of strategic litigation, and then discuss four conditions for successful and sustainable change using strategic litigation: (1) an existing rights framework; (2) an independent and knowledgeable judiciary; (3) civil society organizations with the capacity to frame social problems as rights violations and to litigate; and (4) a network able to support and leverage the opportunities presented by litigation. Next, we present examples from our work in Colombia that show how analysis of these conditions informed our litigation strategy when confronting a powerful public official who opposes reproductive rights. Two litigation strategies were adopted. The first case was not successful in the courts, but allowed us to introduce our message and build support amongst civil society. The second case built on this momentum and resulted in a victory. Strategic litigation is a powerful tool to advance rights as well as hold governments accountable and ensure compliance with human rights obligations. The strategies developed can be adapted for use in other contexts. We hope they inspire others to protect and promote reproductive rights through strategic litigation when women cannot fully enjoy their rights.

Résumé

Women’s Link Worldwide a conçu un test pour déterminer quand un environnement est propice au changement social par le biais de litiges stratégiques. Nous présentons d’abord notre conception des litiges stratégiques, puis examinons quatre conditions d’un changement réussi et durable avec eux : 1) l’existence d’un cadre de droits ; 2) un système judiciaire indépendant et compétent ; 3) des organisations de la société civile capables de traduire les problèmes sociaux en violations des droits et d’engager une action en justice ; et 4) un réseau capable de soutenir et d’exploiter les possibilités offertes par les litiges. Nous présentons ensuite des exemples de notre travail en Colombie qui montrent comment l’analyse de ces conditions a guidé notre stratégie de litige face à un puissant fonctionnaire opposé aux droits génésiques. Deux stratégies ont été adoptées. La première affaire n’a pas eu gain de cause devant les tribunaux, mais nous a permis de présenter notre message et de mobiliser un soutien parmi la société civile. La deuxième affaire s’est servie de cet élan et a abouti à un succès. Le litige stratégique est un outil puissant pour faire progresser les droits ainsi que pour demander des comptes aux autorités et garantir l’application des obligations relatives aux droits de l’homme. Les stratégies élaborées peuvent être adaptées à d’autres contextes. Nous espérons qu’elles inciteront d’autres personnes à protéger et promouvoir les droits génésiques par les litiges stratégiques, quand les femmes ne peuvent pas jouir pleinement de leurs droits.

Resumen

Women’s Link Worldwide creó una prueba para determinar cuándo un ambiente es propicio para el cambio social mediante el litigio estratégico. Primero presentamos nuestro entendimiento del litigio estratégico, y luego explicamos las cuatro condiciones para el cambio exitoso y sostenible utilizando el litigio estratégico: (1) un marco de derechos; (2) una judicatura independiente y bien informada; (3) organizaciones de la sociedad civil con la capacidad para plantear los problemas sociales como violaciones de derechos y para litigar; y (4) una red capaz de apoyar y aprovechar las oportunidades presentadas por el litigio. A continuación, presentamos ejemplos de nuestro trabajo en Colombia, que muestran cómo el análisis de estas condiciones informó nuestra estrategia de litigio para confrontar a un funcionario público influyente que se opone a los derechos reproductivos. Se adoptaron dos estrategias de litigio. El primer caso no fue exitoso en las cortes, pero nos permitió presentar nuestro mensaje y fomentar apoyo en la sociedad civil. El segundo caso se basó en este impulso y fue victorioso. El litigio estratégico es una herramienta poderosa para promover los derechos y para imputarle a los gobiernos la responsabilidad de cumplir con sus obligaciones relacionadas con los derechos humanos. Las estrategias formuladas pueden ser adaptadas para utilizarse en otros contextos. Esperamos que inspiren a otras personas a proteger y promover los derechos reproductivos por medio del litigio estratégico cuando las mujeres no puedan disfrutar al máximo de sus derechos.

Keywords:

• strategic litigation
• reproductive rights
• sexual rights
• sexual and reproductive health and rights
• abortion
• advocacy
• strategies
• social change
• public interest
• Colombia

Acknowledgements

This article is a preview of a more comprehensive publication documenting Women’s Link Worldwide’s methodology, including sections on how to assess each of the four conditions and design strategies based on the outcome of such mappings. The publication will also include guidance on designing and defining the legal, communications, and alliance strategies of the litigation process. The authors would like to especially thank Elsa Meany, whose participation made this article possible. We would also like to thank Viviana Waisman, Ariadna Tovar, Mariana Ardila, Carolina Dueñas, Blakeley Decktor and Rafaela Menezes for their invaluable input. The ideas for this article were developed as part of the work carried out by Women’s Link Worldwide, made possible by their generous donors. The authors would especially like to thank IPPF/WHR for encouraging the documentation of these processes.

Notes

* This understanding is based on the framework of dialogical activism. Dialogical activism refers to the democratric debate with other branches of government and civil society that the judiciary can generate when they examine certain cases.³

* For more information on Women’s Link Worldwide’s litigation projects see www.womenslinkworldwide.org.

* The Center for Reproductive Rights lists 12 human rights as key to reproductive rights. These are: (1) the right to life; (2) the right to liberty and security of the person; (3) the right to health, including sexual and reproductive health; (4) the right to decide the number and spacing of children; (5) the right to consent to marriage and to equality in marriage; (6) the right to privacy; (7) the right to equality and non-discrimination; (8) the right to be free from practices that harm women and girls; (9) the right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; (10) the right to be free from sexual and gender-based violence; (11)the right to access sexual and reproductive health education and family planning information; and (12) the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress.¹²

* See also the paper by Alba Ruibal that traces the history of the backlash against abortion law reform in Colombia as a process of movement and counter-movement.¹⁶

* Thus, on 8 September 2009, they announced that a special working group had been formed to exercise “preventive control” in Medellín over the agencies responsible for opening a women's clinic.

* The following amicus briefs were submitted: Right to information and freedom of expression (Asociación por los Derechos Civiles, Argentina); Right to information (Centro de Investigación y Docencia Economicas, Mexico); Importance of information for reproductive rights (Center for Reproductive Rights, Colombia and global); Constitutional rights (DeJusticia Colombia); Men’s right to information on reproductive rights (led by Colombian attorney Santiago Pardo); Journalists duties (led by Catalina Ruiz-Navarro).