This guide is part of a series of Practice Notes designed to support
holistic strategic litigation on behalf of torture and enforced
disappearance survivors. It is aimed at lawyers, researchers, activists,
and health professionals who assist survivors in the litigation process.
This practice note explains what holistic strategic litigation is, and
how to do it in the context of enforced disappearances in Africa. It
makes suggestions based on academic commentaries, research reports,
and practical experience. It will be useful for those new to strategic
litigation, to find out more about it, and also for more experienced
practitioners, to encourage reflection on how they do it.
REDRESS would like to thank the Matrix Causes Fund and the
United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture for their
generous support to this project. This publication was prepared by
a team at REDRESS including Rupert Skilbeck, Director, Alejandra
Vicente, Head of Law, Eva Nudd, Legal Adviser, and Eva Sanchis,
Head of Communications. Amy Kerr, Legal Intern, and Jodie Chun,
Communications Intern, provided research and editorial assistance.
REDRESS would like to extend its gratitude to Bernard Duhaime,
Professor at the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the University
of Quebec in Montreal, and member of the United Nations Working
Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances, for his generous
expert review and comments to this practice note. REDRESS bears
sole responsibility for any errors in this practice note.