ESR Review, Volume 15 No. 2 2014 now available!

This second issue of the 2014 ESR Review includes two features on the enjoyment of socio-economic rights in Nigeria and South Africa. The first, by Stanley Ibe, examines the possibility of enforcing socio-economic rights in Nigeria. While the Nigerian Constitution does not explicitly guarantee socio-economic rights, Ibe argues that opportunities exist to enforce these rights through national courts, regional and international human rights bodies.

The second feature by Akinola Akintayo analyses the Nigerian High Court decision in the Bamidele Aturu case. From a comparative approach he examines the effect of neo-liberalism for the enjoyment of socio-economic rights in South Africa and Nigeria. He discusses the differences in constitutional provisions relating to socio-economic rights in these countries.

While the Constitution of South Africa explicitly recognises these rights, Nigeria’s merely includes them as Directive Principles. Akintayo analyses a recent case in Nigeria in which the provisions under the Directive Principles are interpreted purposively to safeguard socio-economic rights. He concludes that there are some lessons South Africa can learn from this decision.

Gladys Mirugi-Mukundi examines a recent decision of the South African Constitutional Court, in which it found that an interim order could as well amount to an eviction order and may interfere with the constitutional right to housing. Updates of events at regional and international levels are also included in this issue.

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