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.
MGN Ltd v. United Kingdom
This case before the European Court of Human Rights involves the massive costs of libel suits, which have a chilling effect on NGOs and small publishers by discouraging them from publishing important stories.
Last update: January 18, 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, 2009Marques v. Angola
This case is about freedom of expression, focusing on a journalist who was imprisoned after criticizing the president of Angola.
Last update: February 11, 2010Mhlungwana v. the State and the Minister of Police
Protestors successfully argued that it was unconstitutional for South African law to make the failure to give prior notice of a demonstration a crime.
Last update: April 18, 2017Mikhaj 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, 2010Moidunov 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, 2011Nachova v. Bulgaria
This case involves the killing of two unarmed Roma conscripts by the Bulgarian military. The Open Society Justice Initiative argues that the incident violated the European Convention on Human Rights.
Last update: July 06, 2005