LGBT people in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia (CEECA) — including countries where ECOM works such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan — face significant challenges in the protection of their rights. Discriminatory laws, social prejudice, and systemic barriers create a hostile environment that prevents LGBT people from living openly and safely. In this context, strategic litigation has become a powerful tool to advance LGBT rights and challenge injustice.
These Guidelines aim to provide practical knowledge and strategies for activists, non-governmental organisations, and legal practitioners engaged in strategic litigation to protect LGBT rights in the CEECA region. Covering both theory and practice, the publication equips stakeholders with the tools needed to carry out effective legal advocacy.
The Guidelines are structured in two main parts.
- The theoretical section introduces the foundations of strategic litigation, including its definition, historical background, purpose, and specific relevance to LGBT rights. It offers readers a deeper understanding of the strategic framework that underpins rights-based legal advocacy.
- The practical section focuses on how strategic litigation can be implemented in real-world contexts. It covers topics such as selecting appropriate cases, assessing and mitigating risks, working with national and international legal mechanisms, and using media engagement to maximise the impact of litigation.
By combining insights from both sections, stakeholders will be better prepared to challenge discriminatory laws, confront social prejudice, and advance LGBT rights across the CEECA region. These Guidelines serve as a valuable resource for everyone committed to equality and justice, offering best practices and concrete guidance to support impactful advocacy.