The constitutionality of law n° 99-641 of July 23, 1999 Loi portant création d’une couverture maladie universelle (Act Creating Universal Health Coverage), was challenged in the Conseil Constitutionnel. The Act was structured as follows: Article 1 created universal health insurance, guaranteeing everyone care under a health insurance scheme. Low income earners were given the right …Read more

In 1991, representatives of the indigenous Enxet-Lamenxay and Kayleyphapopyet-Riachito communities commenced administrative proceedings against the Government of Paraguay to recover what they claimed was ancestral land that Paraguay had largely sold to foreigners in the years between 1885 and 1950. The petitioners described the land as “their main sustenance came from hunting, fishing, and gathering.” The …Read more

Five youths, three of whom were minors, were “street children” abducted, tortured, and killed by State security agents.  The children lived in a sector of the city where violence and crime rate were high and where State officials commit illegal acts against “street children,” including “threats, arrests, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and homicides as …Read more

French government issued a decree on 19 December 1996 which, according to article L.162-5-3 of the Social Security Code, requires doctors to pay back social security payment if they do not meet their expected health expenses. Doctors’ trade unions challenged this decree, on the ground that it creates a sanction towards doctors whereas they are …Read more

Through a representative, 418 parents, inhabitants of the sector of Puenta Aranda in Bogota, filed a tutela against the national and district health authorities alleging that the authorities’ failure to provide a free vaccination program against meningitis violated the duty to protect the health of their children. The Plaintiffs were poor, worked in the informal …Read more

The Appellant, Meenakshi Pharma Distributors, had conducted various transactions with the authorities of the State of Karnataka for the sale of drugs. The contract stipulated that “if the payment is delayed beyond the period of 30 days, interest shall be payable at the rate of 15 per cent.” However, the trial court reduced the rate …Read more

The Petitioner, S.K. Garg, filed a writ petition in the Allahabad High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India (original writ jurisdiction of High Courts). The petition brought to the Court’s attention the appalling and unhygienic condition of Government hospitals in the city of Allahabad. It was alleged that indigent patients had been …Read more

Carpet industries in Uttar Pradesh employed children, under the age of 14, where they were “being treated as slaves” and were “subjected to physical torture.” This writ petition was filed in the Supreme Court under Article 32 as a public interest matter. The Court immediately commissioned a report to determine whether children under the age …Read more

Mrs. Shantha, the Petitioner, was admitted to the Government Maternity Hospital for a caesarian section. She was affected sterilization after the caesarian section. On leaving the hospital after the operation, she felt abdominal discomfort leading to very severe pain. Following medical examination, it was discovered that surgical equipment had been left inside the Petitioner’s abdomen …Read more

The Petitioner, MX, was a casual labourer working for the Respondent, M/s ZY, a State owned corporation. Before his employment could be regularized, the Respondent required the Petitioner to undergo medical tests, including tests for HIV antibodies. The Petitioner passed all fitness requirements presented in the examination except those for HIV antibodies. The Respondent, upon …Read more