PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Feb 3, CMC – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Centre for Human Rights (CCHR) Monday said it has launched an in-house Strategic Litigation Services, aimed at empowering vulnerable communities and individuals by providing direct legal representation in cases of systemic human rights violations.
“With an in-house legal team, CCHR aims to strengthen its advocacy efforts by using the courts to challenge injustices, promote accountability, and create meaningful legal precedents,” said the CCHR, which was founded in 2006 and in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has committed to provide free legal advice or support to asylum-seekers and refugees in Trinidad and Tobago.
CCHR executive director, Mary J Marsden, said this initiative reflects the organisation’s “unwavering commitment to ensuring access to justice.
“Strategic litigation has the power to bring about transformative change in society, and we are now better equipped to take on impactful cases that can set legal precedents and uphold the fundamental rights of individuals across the Caribbean.”
The CCHR said the new initiative will focus on cases involving discrimination and inequality: fighting against injustices based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and other forms of marginalization.
It will also seek to addressing barriers that prevent vulnerable groups from accessing fair legal processes as well as defending individuals and organizations against threats to civil liberties.
In addition, the CCHR said that the initiative will be advocating for the rights of displaced persons and nonnationals facing challenges in the region.
It said with these services, the CCHR is poised to partner with community organizations, international stakeholders, and legal practitioners to deliver impactful results.
CMC/ag/ir/2025