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.
Syrians Seek UN Rights Ruling against Russia for 2019 Hospital Attacks
A legal complaint seeks justice for Syrian victims of attacks by the Russian air force, and seeks to reinforce protections for health care facilities in war-time.
May 02, 2024European Court of Human Rights Condemns Racist Policing
The European Court of Human Rights has found that police in the Swiss city of Zurich engaged in ethnic profiling, in an identity check stop carried out on Mohamed Wa Baile, a Swiss citizen, at the city’s’ train station in 2015.
February 20, 2024Belgian Court Refers Saudi Victim Standing Issue to CJEU
A court in Belgium is asking the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to clarify the scope of EU legislation on the rights of crime victims—in connection with a complaint accusing officials of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of crimes against humanity.
December 15, 2023Justice Initiative Urges Expansive Rights Framework for Climate Displacement
As the Inter-American Court of Human Rights develops an Advisory Opinion on the climate emergency that will shape policy across the region, the Justice Initiative has submitted recommendations focused on rights and human mobility.
December 14, 2023French 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, 2023