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.
Defensoria Publica and Ministerio Publico in Rio de Janeiro vs. State of Rio de Janeiro
A case filed by the Public Defender and the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rio de Janeiro argues that under international human rights law, a State has a heightened duty to protect the health of incarcerated persons during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law et al v. Sierra Leone
Two health-workers involved in efforts to combat the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, who themselves contracted and survived the virus, are seeking redress for deaths and damages caused by the corrupt diversion of million of international emergency relief funds.
Askarov v. Kyrgyzstan
Human rights defender Azimjan Askarov was detained and tortured by police in Kyrgyzstan after documenting human rights violations committed during inter-ethnic conflict in 2010. Askarov was given a life sentence after being denied a fair trial and died in July 2020.
Last update: October 01, 2019Akmatov v. Kyrgyzstan
Turdubek Akmatov was taken to the local police station in Kyrgyzstan and severely beaten during ten hours in custody. He died a few hours after being released without charge.
Last update: October 01, 2019Ernazarov v. Kyrgyzstan
The Ernazarov case concerns the death in custody of Rahmanberdi Enazarov, who was arrested in November 2005 and charged with the serious sexual offense of forced sodomy.
Last update: October 01, 2019Akunov v. Kyrgyzstan
The death of a political activist in police custody in April 2007 after undergoing a severe beating reflects a larger pattern of violence in Kyrgyzstan.
Last update: October 03, 2011Moidunov v. Kyrgyzstan
After a dispute on the street, Tashkenbai Moidunov was taken to a police station in Kyrgyzstan. Later that night, he was found dead in his cell. Despite the evidence, there was never a proper investigation into his death.
Last update: July 19, 2011Gomes Lund v. Brazil
The families of people who disappeared after challenging Brazil's military dictatorship are trying to expose the truth about what happened to their relatives, but have been prevented from doing so by amnesty laws.
Last update: December 01, 2010