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.
Zhao v. Netherlands
In the UN Human Rights Committee's first ever decision on the right of children to acquire nationality, it determined that by registering a child as “nationality unknown”, Dutch authorities violated his right to international protection and to seek a nationality.
Last update: December 29, 2020Y, T & A v. Berlin Education Authority
The Justice Initiative supported the development of a case brought by three pupils of migrant background challenging the discriminatory treatment growing out of educational reforms adopted by Berlin.
Last update: January 26, 2015Salkanovic v. Ministry of Interior (Italy)
The Justice Initiative with Italian NGOs filed a petition on behalf of Salkanovic against the government, seeking a declaration that the Roma census violated Italian and EU antidiscrimination and data protection law.
Last update: April 23, 2013EC v. Italy
Roma in Italy are facing a wave of hostility, as fears of immigration from other EU countries are exacerbated by government-controlled media, and used to justify racist policies.
Last update: March 15, 2012German Headscarves Ban
In 2006, several regional governments in Germany adopted laws supposedly to maintain neutrality and peace in the school, but which amount to discrimination against Muslim teachers on grounds of religion.
Last update: March 05, 2012Iseni v. Italian Ministry of the Interior
Roberto Iseni is in danger of criminal sanctions and expulsion because he failed to apply for a passport within a 12-month window following his 18th birthday, as dictated by Italian law.
Last update: December 20, 2011Omerovic and Others v. Italy
In 2008 Italy introduced emergency legislation that applied only to Roma. The Omerovic family brought a legal action with nine other claimants to challenge this discriminatory treatment.
Last update: September 17, 2010Williams v. Spain
With Women’s Link Worldwide and SOS-Racismo Madrid, the Open Society Justice Initiative filed a complaint to the United Nations Human Rights Committee on behalf of Rosalind Williams regarding a case of racial profiling by a Spanish police officer.
Last update: August 12, 2009