Litigation
Justice Initiative lawyers have represented scores of individuals and groups before domestic and international human rights courts and tribunals around the world. These cases seek not only to vindicate individual claims, but to establish and strengthen the law’s protection for all.
Open Society European Policy Institute v. Bulgaria
The Open Society Foundations' collective complaint alleges that the Bulgarian government violated the European Social Charter for failing to prioritize persons over 65 years old and individuals with underlying conditions in its domestic COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Open Society Institute–Budapest v. Hungary
The Open Society Foundations are calling on the European Court of Human Rights to address violations of the rights to freedom of association and expression by the Hungarian government.
Last update: September 24, 2018Kosa v. Hungary
A Hungarian domestic court rejected a complaint over discriminatory treatment of Roma students that was brought by a local NGO. One of the students, Amanda Kośa, is now seeking to bring the case to the Strasbourg Court.
Last update: February 01, 2017Nikolova v. CEZ Electricity
Bulgarian electricity companies have been locating meters at the tops of high poles in “Roma districts,” preventing residents from reading and checking them; elsewhere they are at head-height and easily accessible.
Last update: July 11, 2014Ethnic Profiling in Gyöngyöspata
In 2011, Hungarian police in the village of Gyöngyöspata singled out local Roma inhabitants for discriminatory treatment.
Last update: July 10, 2014Kasabova v. Bulgaria
The case, involving a journalist found liable for criminal libel, raised questions about the burden of proof and liability standards that ought to apply in criminal defamation proceedings.
Last update: April 19, 2011HCLU v. Hungary
In this case involving a Hungarian NGO denied access to information, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the denial interferes with the group's right to information.
Last update: April 19, 2009Nachova v. Bulgaria
This case involves the killing of two unarmed Roma conscripts by the Bulgarian military. The Open Society Justice Initiative argues that the incident violated the European Convention on Human Rights.
Last update: July 06, 2005