Newsroom
The Open Society Justice Initiative pursues and supports strategic litigation in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Read our News Releases and Advocacy Updates on our work.
French Magistrates Seek Arrest of Syria's Al-Assad and Associates for Chemical Weapons Attacks
Arrest warrants for Al-Assad, his brother, and two other senior officials have been issued after an extensive investigation into chemical weapons attacks on civilians in Douma and Eastern Ghouta in August 2013 that killed more than 1,000 people.
November 15, 2023New Court Filings Argue for Protecting Afghanistan’s Frozen U.S. Assets
The Justice Initiative is arguing that Afghanistan’s frozen U.S. dollar funds must not be at risk of seizure from private claims against the Taliban.
October 19, 2023Top French Court Recognizes Police Discrimination but Declines to Act
France's top administrative court says it lacks the power to order government action to end police stops that unfairly target young people of color.
October 11, 2023After a Summer of Unrest, French Police Tactics Face Court Scrutiny
A complaint before France’s highest court accuses the police of systematically singling out young people of color for abusive ID checks and body searches.
September 26, 2023LEAP and Open Society Justice Initiative: Florida Classroom Censorship Law (“Stop W.O.K.E.” Act) Impairs Training for Law Enforcement
In a court filing, the U.S.-based nonprofit Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), joined by experts and policing and criminal justice organizations, argues that Florida's “Stop W.O.K.E.” Act (HB7) would prevent law enforcement agencies from preparing officers for the realities of serving diverse communities.
June 23, 2023Trial of Austrian Agents for Harboring Alleged Syrian War Criminal to Shed Light on Victims’ Suffering, say Human Rights Groups
The Center for Enforcement of Human Rights International (CEHRI) and the Justice Initiative welcome the start of a trial against officials from Austria’s civilian security-intelligence agency accused of executing a plan to conceal a former senior Syrian official suspected of crimes against humanity in Austria.
April 14, 2023Justice Initiative Welcomes ICC Arrest Warrant for Putin
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Now, the international community should do everything in its power to execute it, says the Open Society Justice Initiative.
March 17, 2023U.S. District Court Blocks Seizure of $3.5B of Afghan Assets in New Ruling
The District Court for the Southern District of New York has ruled that $3.5B in Afghan central bank assets should be preserved for the sole benefit of the Afghan people, rather than seized to satisfy court judgments obtained against the Taliban.
February 21, 2023