Making the Law Work for Everyone
The Open Society Justice Initiative uses the law to promote and defend justice and human rights.
Learn moreFeatured
Afghanistan's Taliban Face New International Pressure on Rights of Women and Girls
Four countries are calling the Taliban to account over their violations of the rights of women and girls, in a process that could bring the Afghan regime before the International Court of Justice.
Q&A: The Inter-American Court Takes a Lead on our Climate Emergency
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is in the midst of public consultations on legal questions arising from the climate emergency—that will shape future law and policy in the region.
A Legal Victory in the Drive to End Racist Police Tactics Ethnic Profiling
Mohamad Wa Baile, a Swiss citizen, complained to the European Court of Human Rights that he had been subjected to a discriminatory stop by police in Switzerland. The court ruled in his favor, marking a step forward in the drive to eliminate racially-biased policing in Europe.
French Court of Appeal Validates Historic Arrest Warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad: A Legal Milestone and Important Victory for Survivors
The Paris Court of Appeal upheld arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two senior military officials for their alleged roles in the 2013 Ghouta and Douma chemical attacks.
What we do
As part of the Open Society Foundations, the Justice Initiative shares its mission of building vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens.
ExploreReview our
cases
All litigation
Read our
work
All publications
Explore our
thinking
All voices
How we work
Since 2003, Justice Initiative lawyers have represented scores of individuals before domestic and international courts, in cases that have sought not only to vindicate individual claims, but to establish and strengthen the law’s protection for all.
Explore
News
Afghanistan's Taliban Face New International Pressure on Rights of Women and Girls
Four countries are calling the Taliban to account over their violations of the rights of women and girls, in a process that could bring the Afghan regime before the International Court of Justice.
French Court of Appeal Validates Historic Arrest Warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad: A Legal Milestone and Important Victory for Survivors
The Paris Court of Appeal upheld arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two senior military officials for their alleged roles in the 2013 Ghouta and Douma chemical attacks.
EU Top Court to Review Denmark's “Racially Discriminatory” “Ghetto Package”
EU’s Court of Justice is set to review Denmark's "Ghetto Package," challenged for racial discrimination, on September 30. The case impacts thousands of displaced families and the ruling could influence anti-discrimination laws across Europe.