Minority Rights Law
'Communities have confidence that with the assistance of the MRG legal team they need to continue with their struggle. There is awareness of human rights and the UN monitoring bodies. Due to the assistance of MRG our local communities are alive and active again.' (Kamanakao)
MRG’s groundbreaking legal cases are carefully selected to promote and protect minority rights to promote and protect minority rights, strengthen the rule of law, and contribute to conflict prevention around the world.
Key legal cases MRG has fought include challenging discrimination in the electoral system in Bosnia, as well as the right of Sikhs to wear turbans in France when having passport photos taken or at school.
We have supported many international cases including the Chagos Islanders against the UK government, the Endorois of Kenya in their claim to ancestral land rights and Sikhs in India. This group is currently exploring whether or not to prosecute for crimes against humanity, perpetrated against them in the 1970s and 1980s.
Our support varies from submitting briefs that expand areas of law that may be unfamiliar to the judiciary such as in the case of segregation in education in the Czech Republic, to producing publications in support of a case. The lead prosecutor of the International Criminal Court commissioned MRG to investigate alleged crimes and patterns of violations against the Batwa population of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DIRECTORY), the findings were published. An official investigation followed.
We welcome enquiries from minority and indigenous people or organisations to take on or provide advice and support with legal work.