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, 2019United States v. Private First Class Chelsea Manning
The 35-year prison sentence handed down to Private First Class Chelsea Manning by a United States military court in August 2013 far exceeded international legal norms.
Last update: May 19, 2016El-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, 2012Akunov 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, 2011Gerasimov v. Kazakhstan
This Open Society Justice Initiative case involves the torture of a man by police in Kazakhstan.
Last update: July 15, 2011