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.
French Court to Hear Unprecedented Challenge to Police Ethnic Profiling
Thirteen young French men of North or Sub-Saharan African origin say that they have been subject to identity checks based on what they look like, rather than something they did.
July 02, 2013Accord on Access to a Lawyer will Strengthen European Arrest Rights
A new EU directive will require police in all member states to ensure that suspects have appropriate access to a lawyer before questioning.
June 19, 2013Azimjan Askarov Takes His Torture and Unfair Trial in Kyrgyzstan to Human Rights Committee
The case of Azimjan Askarov, a 61-year old human rights defender, is a litmus test for the administration of justice in Kyrgyzstan.
November 13, 2012Eight Groups Urge French Leaders to Honor Promise on Police Ethnic Profiling
The French government should respect President François Hollande’s election campaign commitment to fight against ethnic profiling and abusive practices during identity checks.
October 05, 2012UN Faults Kazakhstan for Police Torture and Intimidation
A decision from the UN Committee against Torture underlines widespread concerns about the use of torture by police in Kazakhstan.
July 25, 2012An Open Letter to the European Commission on Pretrial Detention
The Open Society Justice Initiative has joined 12 other groups in urging the European Commission to come forward with promised proposals to set common minimum standards for pretrial detention across the EU’s member states.
June 28, 2012EU Must Fix Flawed Criminal Justice Systems
The Open Society Justice Initiative is calling on the European Council of Ministers and Parliament to develop a strong EU Directive to guarantee the right to early access to legal representation for all people accused or suspected of crimes.
June 07, 2012Freedom but Still No Justice for Kazakhstan's Human Rights Defender
The Open Society Justice Initiative joins the Kazakhstan International Bureau on Human Rights and the Rule of Law in welcoming the release from prison under a broad government amnesty of its director Yevgeniy Zhovtis.
March 30, 2012