Failure to provide effective protection against domestic violence violated CEDAW (Isatou Jallow v. Bulgaria)
Isatou Jallow moved from the Gambia to Bulgaria after marrying A.P., a Bulgarian national. Once in Bulgaria, A.P. allegedly became abusive toward Jallow and subjected her to physical and psychological violence, including sexual abuse, and attempted to force her to take part in pornographic films and photographs. He reportedly also abused their daughter, M.A.P. … Read more
Failure to prevent loss of ownership of property a violation of CEDAW (Cecilia Kell v Canada)
In 1990, William Senych applied for housing without the knowledge of his common law partner, Cecilia Kell, an Aboriginal woman from the Rae-Edzo community in the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) of Canada. Senych’s application was denied because he was not a member of the Rae-Edzo community for which the housing was earmarked. On the advice of … Read more
Domestic violence asylum claim inadmissible (M.P.M. v. Canada)
M.P.M., a Mexican national, sought asylum in Canada in 2006. M.P.M. claimed that she was entitled to asylum because she is a victim/survivor of domestic violence and was seeking to escape her abusive ex-husband, a Mexican police officer. Canadian authorities dismissed M.P.M.’s claim on the basis that she had failed to establish that she was … Read more
Treatment of woman in detention violated CEDAW (Inga Abramova v. Belarus)
The Lenin District Court of Belarus found Inga Abramova guilty of ‘minor hooliganism’ for hanging ribbons and posters calling for participation in the ‘European March.’ It subsequently ordered her to serve five days administrative arrest. Abramova claimed that, during her detention, a male staff member subjected her to a body search, touched her inappropriately, … Read more
Gender stereotyping in rape trial a violation of CEDAW (Karen Tayag Vertido v. The Philippines)
In 1996, Karen Tayag Vertido worked as Executive Director of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines. She filed a complaint against the then President of the Chamber, Jose B. Custodio, accusing him of raping her. She alleged that the accused offered her a lift home following a business meeting … Read more
Deportation of domestic violence survivor communication inadmissible (Guadalupe Herrera Rivera v. Canada)
In 2006, Guadalupe Herrera Rivera (GHR), a Mexican national, claimed asylum in Canada, along with her then husband and their two minor children. Canadian authorities denied the claim on the basis that it lacked credibility. In April 2008, GHR, a long-term survivor of domestic violence, reported a violent incident to Montreal police. Following the … Read more
