Publications
Read and download reports, handbooks, briefing papers, legal and policy submissions, and fact sheets from the Open Society Justice Initiative.
Universal Jurisdiction Law and Practice in the United States
The principle of universal jurisdiction allows national courts to investigate and prosecute international crimes committed on foreign territory by foreign nationals. This briefing paper provides an overview of the legal framework in the United States on universal jurisdiction and was produced in partnership with TRIAL International, the Center for Justice & Accountability, and Civitas Maxima.
May 2022Model Indictment for the Crime of Aggression Committed against Ukraine
This model indictment prepared by the Justice Initiative demonstrates that building a solid case against Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior leaders for the crime of aggression is feasible. In addition to Putin, it names six Russian officials involved in the initiation, planning, preparation, and execution of acts of aggression against Ukraine starting on February 24, 2022.
May 09, 2022UN Entities’ Powers to Establish Administrative Reparations Programs
This briefing paper provides an overview of the powers of various UN entities to establish administrative reparations programs for gross violations of international human rights law, serious violations of international humanitarian law and/or international crimes, and their past practice on this subject.
March 2022Contesting Neutrality Dress Codes in Europe
This briefing paper aims to support Muslim women, campaigners, litigators, and other stakeholders challenging discriminatory and exclusionary religious dress bans by deconstructing the concept of neutrality and analyzing its treatment by various courts.
March 29, 2022Restrictions on Muslim Women's Dress in the 27 EU Member States and the United Kingdom
This policy brief and accompanying fact sheet map EU and UK laws and pending legislation restricting religious dress—specifically the headscarf and face veil worn by Muslim women.
March 2022From Spectators to Champions: How Supportive States Can Promote Cooperation with the International Criminal Court through Multilateral Bodies
This briefing paper offers recommendations as to how the ICC should approach cooperation challenges, as well as how states that are supportive of its work could leverage multilateral bodies’ support to influence reluctant governments to cooperate with the ICC.
February 28, 2022Denmark’s Discriminatory “Ghetto Package”: Demographic Reports on Nøjsomhed-Sydvej, Helsingor, and Evicted Households
Reports by the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Research at Aarhus University analyze demographic trends in Nøjsomhed-Sydvejand, a neighborhood in Denmark designated as a "ghetto" under the government's controversial "Ghetto Package," and three comparator areas, as well as the demographics of 96 forcibly-evicted households in Nøjsomhed-Sydvejand.
February 10, 20222020–2021 International Criminal Court Prosecutor Election Process: Insights and Recommendations for Future Elections
Building on the Justice Initiative’s advocacy efforts to improve election and nomination procedures throughout the International Criminal Court, and drawing on a range of interviews conducted with individuals engaged in the process, this paper reflects on the prosecutor’s election and offers guidance on how it can be improved.
November 10, 2021