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.
Pernell v. Lamb
Florida House Bill (HB) 7, designed to censor discussions related to race and gender in the educational setting, will impede State-mandated training of law enforcement officers in human diversity and implicit biases, argue a coalition of law enforcement groups in an amicus brief filed before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Ramy and Céline Shaath v. Arab Republic of Egypt
This case was filed before the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights on behalf of Ramy Shaath, an Egyptian-Palestinian national and a prominent human rights defender who was an active participant in the 2011 Egyptian revolution, and his wife, Celine Lebrun-Shaath.
Responsible Development for Abaco (RDA) Ltd. v. the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie et al.
This appeal before the Privy Council challenges the Bahamian court of appeal’s approach to security for costs, an order it routinely makes in public interest environmental cases that prevent impacted communities from accessing the courts.
Achbita v. Belgium
This complaint filed against Belgium with the UN Human Rights Committee, pertaining to a receptionist who was dismissed for intending to wear a headscarf in the workplace, argues that religious dress restrictions are discriminatory against Muslim women.
Vidberg v. France
Prosecutors’ refusals to open criminal proceedings constitute obstacles to access to justice for victims. The Justice Initiative submitted an amicus brief in this case emphasizing the importance of prosecutorial accountability to guarantee the rule of law.
Use of Afghanistan’s Foreign Reserves to Satisfy Judgments Against the Taliban
The Justice Initiative filed a brief in the consolidated case of In re: Terrorist Attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 holding that U.S. law does not permit taking Afghanistan’s foreign reserves to satisfy judgments against the Taliban.
Criminal Complaint for Saudi Crimes Against Humanity in Belgium
The Justice Initiative filed a complaint of crimes against humanity with the Belgian federal prosecutor under universal jurisdiction on behalf of Alia and Lina al-Hathloul for grave crimes committed against their sister Loujain al-Hathloul by the Saudi regime.
Open Society Justice Initiative v. Telekom Austria
The Justice Initiative has filed a complaint against Telekom Austria, the parent company of A1 Belarus, which sporadically shut off access to their mobile internet networks in Belarus in the aftermath of the country’s disputed 2020 presidential elections.