Escr-Net Granted Leave to Submit Amicus Brief
The International NUetwork for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) has been granted leave from the U.S. District Court to be recognized as amicus curiae (1) in the case of Lyda et al. v. City of Detroit (2) in support of residents challenging the City of Detroit’s decision to cut off water supply to thousands of households unable to pay their bills.
The City of Detroit disconnected approximately 30,000 households of low-income persons and persons living in poverty from the municipal water supply, leaving them without access to drinking water and water for toilets and basic sanitation.
This action has shocked the international community and has prompted, among other reactions, the visit of two United Nations Special Procedures human rights experts to assess the situation in October 2014. (3) Despite the onset of winter, local groups report that the City has continued water shut-offs at the homes of low-income families, the elderly, and the infirmed.
It is hoped that the application of international human rights law will help the plaintiffs achieve a just and effective remedy, including renewed access to water and an end to any further disconnections.
This action is being led by ESCR-Net Strategic Litigation Working Group members Center for the Study of Law, Justice and Society (Dejusticia), the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR), the Social Rights Advocacy Centre (SRAC), and the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI).
Key Documents
Amicus Brief by ESCR-Net
Joint Press Statement by Special Rapporteurs
Decision of Bankruptcy Court
Complaint
Transcript 9 - 2
Transcript 9 - 23
Appellants Brief
Appellee (Cityof Detroit) Brief
Appellants Reply Brief
Photo credit: www.voiceofdetroit.net
