Newsroom
The Open Society Justice Initiative pursues strategic litigation and engages in policy advocacy in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Read our News Releases and Advocacy Updates on our work.
Justice Initiative Continues to Call for Fairness and Transparency in ICC Prosecutor Election Process
In light of indications that International Criminal Court (ICC) states parties are considering late-stage changes to the election process for the court’s next prosecutor, the Justice Initiative has joined more than a dozen civil society groups in an open letter calling for states to ensure that the process remains fair, transparent, and merit-based.
October 21, 2020Justice Initiative and Syrian Archive Expose New Information on Syria’s Chemical Weapons Program
After two years of investigations, the Open Society Justice Initiative and the human rights group Syrian Archive have compiled the most comprehensive investigative report to date on Syria’s Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC), the entity at the heart of Syria’s chemical weapons program.
October 19, 2020Open Society Justice Initiative Sues Trump Administration over International Criminal Court Executive Order
The Open Society Justice Initiative has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government over a Trump administration executive order authorizing draconian economic sanctions and severe civil and criminal penalties for those who support the ICC.
October 01, 2020Justice Initiative Says Nominees for ICC Prosecutor Need Additional Vetting
The Justice Initiative and Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice submitted an open letter asking for additional, robust vetting of all candidates nominated for the ICC’s next prosecutor.
September 11, 2020Justice Initiative Calls U.S. Sanctions Designations an Unprecedented Assault on ICC
The Open Society Justice Initiative issues a response to the U.S. government's authorization of sanctions and additional visa restrictions against senior International Criminal Court (ICC) officials, Fatou Bensouda and Phakiso Mochochoko.
September 02, 2020Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge Tribunal Ends Deadlocked Case against Former Regional Commander
A decision to drop the prosecution of Ao An reflects the entrenched opposition of the Cambodian government to more trials of Khmer Rouge leaders.
August 11, 2020Groups Urge State Parties to ICC to Follow Transparent Process for Electing New Prosecutor
In an open letter, the Justice Initiative joins nine organizations in urging state parties to the International Criminal Court to adhere to the existing process of electing its next prosecutor, including refraining from nominating candidates not included in the shortlist released on June 30, 2020.
July 16, 2020Justice Initiative Calls for Accountability for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Syria
The Justice Initiative has co-signed a letter calling on European member states, prosecutors with jurisdiction over crimes committed in Syria, and other decision-makers to ensure access to justice for survivors of systemic sexual and gender-based violence during the Syrian civil conflict.
June 18, 2020