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.
Bagdonavicius v. Russia
This is a case brought by the Open Society Justice Initiative challenging the destruction of Roma families' homes in Russia.
Last update: March 04, 2011Iseni v. Italian Ministry of the Interior
Roberto Iseni is in danger of criminal sanctions and expulsion because he failed to apply for a passport within a 12-month window following his 18th birthday, as dictated by Italian law.
Last update: December 20, 2011Magnitsky v. Russia
Sergei Magnitsky died in pretrial detention in Russia after being denied essential medical care, in retaliation for exposing a $230m fraud involving senior Interior Ministry officials.
Last update: October 17, 2012Makhashev v. Russia
This case involves brothers who were beaten by Russian police and subjected to anti-Chechen insults. Discrimination by police against Chechens is common in Russia, but this was the first time it has been challenged in court.
Last update: November 26, 2009Mikhaj and Others v. Russia
This case challenges discrimination against Roma children in Tula, Russia, who have been placed in segregated classes and refused the opportunity to study beyond the fifth year of primary school.
Last update: February 16, 2010Omerovic and Others v. Italy
In 2008 Italy introduced emergency legislation that applied only to Roma. The Omerovic family brought a legal action with nine other claimants to challenge this discriminatory treatment.
Last update: September 17, 2010Salkanovic v. Ministry of Interior (Italy)
The Justice Initiative with Italian NGOs filed a petition on behalf of Salkanovic against the government, seeking a declaration that the Roma census violated Italian and EU antidiscrimination and data protection law.
Last update: April 23, 2013Timishev v. Russia
The Open Society Justice Initiative represented a man of Chechen origin in a challenge to racial profiling by Russian police in the Caucasus, where non-Slavs are disproportionately stopped and detained.
Last update: October 22, 2008