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.
Jean-Claude Duvalier
Jean-Claude Duvalier’s 15-year rule in Haiti was characterized by widespread violations of human rights. This brief outlined the argument for prosecuting Duvalier for international crimes.
Last update: December 14, 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, 2010Open Society Justice Initiative v. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) et al
The Justice Initiative seeks the public release by U.S. government agencies of all documents related to the brutal murder in Istanbul of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian dissident writer and editor, and a U.S. permanent resident.
Last update: February 17, 2021Vereda La Esperanza v. Colombia
States must conduct effective investigations into serious violations of human rights committed during armed conflict.
Last update: July 27, 2016Coalition on Violence Against Women and Others v. the Attorney-General of Kenya and Others
A group of Kenyan civil society organizations and victims of sexual and gender-based violence have brought a case to the Nairobi High Court against six Kenyan government officials demanding accountability.
Last update: February 20, 2013Citizens Against Violence and Others v. the Attorney General of Kenya and Others
More than 400 Kenyans were shot dead by police during the post-election violence in Kenya in early 2008. Victims have brought a class action constitutional case demanding accountability for the killings.
Last update: February 13, 2013TRIAL v. Argor-Heraeus S.A.
This complaint sought to initiate an official investigation by Swiss federal prosecutors into allegations that a Swiss gold refinery processed several tons of goal pillaged from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Last update: June 19, 2017