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.
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, 2019Expelled Dominicans and Haitians v. Dominican Republic
Mass expulsions from the Dominican Republic of people of Haitian descent breached the duty to prevent statelessness.
Last update: October 22, 2014Al-Nashiri v. Poland
The ECHR ruled in favor of Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, finding that Poland had allowed his illegal rendition, detention and torture at a secret prision run by the CIA.
Last update: August 29, 2014El-Masri v. Macedonia
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of Khaled El-Masri in his complaint over Macedonia's involvement in his extraordinary rendition and torture by the CIA.
Last update: July 15, 2012Arrest Rights Challenge
In Poland, many accused don’t have access to a lawyer until the investigation into their case has been completed. This brief challenges the practice, which undermines the fundamental right to a fair trial.
Last update: December 01, 2011Akunov 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, 2011