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The Justice Initiative Supports French Youth in Complaint Against Wrongful Lockdown Fines
Over thirty teenagers and young adults from the French working-class district of Essonne are challenging penalties they received during the Spring 2020 coronavirus lockdown for violating a stay-at-home order, claiming that the fines are unlawful, inappropriate, and discriminatory.
Danish Court Upholds Right To Challenge Government’s Racially Discriminatory “Ghetto” Package Eviction Plan
Denmark’s Eastern High Court has ruled in favor of residents who brought forward a legal challenge against a housing development plan to be carried out under the so-called Ghetto Package, a set of laws which target Muslims and other racialized groups of migrant descent for discrimination.
As First-Ever Syrian War Crimes Trial Concludes, Former Torture Victims Hope for Justice
The Higher Regional Court in Koblenz, Germany, heard final arguments from several joint plaintiffs and their representatives in the trial of Anwar R., a former Syrian official who oversaw torture and enforced disappearances at the notorious government-run al-Khatib detention center, also known as Branch 251.
First-ever Sentence on Syrian Government's Crimes against Humanity Handed Down by German Court
A former Syrian government official has been found guilty of crimes against humanity for his role in being the co-perpetrator of torture, severe deprivation of liberty, and sexual violence, in addition to other crimes, and sentenced to life in prison by the Higher Regional Court in Koblenz, Germany.
Open Society Submits ECSR Complaint Urging Bulgarian Government to Accelerate Vaccinations of Vulnerable Groups
The Open Society Foundations has submitted a complaint before the ECSR against the Bulgarian government for failing to prioritize persons over 65 years old and individuals with underlying conditions in its COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
In a Rebuke to the Brazilian Military, Appeals Court Confirms Acquittal of Torture Survivors
An appeals court in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, has confirmed the acquittal of six individuals who claimed they were tortured after being arrested in 2018 while in military custody. This case was the first time in Brazil a forensic investigation into torture was carried in line with the standards set out in the UN-endorsed Istanbul Protocol.
The Justice Initiative Calls on States to Step Up Efforts to Support ICC Investigations
As part of ongoing discussions led by an expert review panel on how to make the International Criminal Court (ICC) more efficient and effective, the Justice Initiative calls on states to do more to push for multilateral bodies to spur greater cooperation with the Court.
Justice Initiative Files Complaint against Company Involved in 2020 Belarus Internet Shutdown
The Open Society Justice Initiative has brought a complaint before the OECD against an Austria-based telecommunications company for its role in facilitating internet shutdowns during Belarus’ disputed 2020 presidential elections.
ICJ Orders Russia to Cease Military Operations in Ukraine, Sending Strong Signal of International Condemnation
The Open Society Justice Initiative has welcomed a ruling from the International Court of Justice ordering Russia to cease all military operations in Ukraine.
As Denmark Plans Housing for Ukrainian Refugees, Justice Initiative Renews Calls for Abolishment of “Ghetto Package”
New measures to override Denmark’s “Ghetto Package” to allow Ukrainian refugees to move into government-designated “vulnerable housing” areas adds to justifications for abolishing these discriminatory housing laws and ensuring that better access to housing and education for all refugees, argues the Open Society Justice Initiative.
Justice Initiative Calls on Belgian Court to Reject Recommendation to Dismiss Case on Saudi Crackdown on Political Dissidents
The complaint is a first-of-its-kind legal filing to address the full scale of crimes committed by the Saudi regime against detractors since Mohammed bin Salman was appointed crown prince in 2017.
Mohammed Bin Salman’s Appointment to Saudi Prime Minister Should Not Halt Accountability, Argues the Justice Initiative
In response to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s appointment as prime minister, which may grant him sovereign immunity in cases concerning the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the Justice Initiative calls on governments to hold the regime accountable.
A Divided ECtHR Fails Victims of Discriminatory ID Checks In Spain, Argue Human Rights Groups
SOS Racisme Catalunya, the Open Society Justice Initiative, and Rights International Spain are deeply concerned about a decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Zeshan Muhammed v Spain which found that there was no violation of the prohibition of discrimination.
Religious Dress Restrictions Are Unlawful, Not “Neutral,” Argues the Justice Initiative
The Justice Initiative, together with co-counsel, the Human Rights Centre at Ghent University, have filed a complaint against Belgium with the UN Human Rights Committee, arguing that religious dress restrictions are discriminatory against Muslim women.
Discrimination Case Challenging Danish “Ghetto Package” Eviction Plan Referred to Court of Justice of the European Union
Denmark’s Eastern High Court has referred a case against the Danish government to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to consider whether the EU’s legal protection against racial discrimination applies to measures taken under Denmark’s “Ghetto Package” laws.
ECtHR Decision Fails to Hold Italy Accountable for Obligations toward Stateless Persons
The Open Society Justice Initiative condemns a decision from the European Court of Human Rights to declare the application in Dabetić v Italy inadmissible—criticizing it as a missed opportunity for the court to affirm its own case law on protections for stateless persons under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Justice Initiative Urges Poland to Stop Death Penalty Against Guantánamo Prisoner
The Justice Initiative welcomes a resolution urging Poland to seek diplomatic assurances from the U.S. that a Guantánamo prisoner will not face the death penalty after a trial using evidence obtained through torture.
Egypt Must Answer for Unlawful Detention of Ramy Shaath, Say NGOs behind New Complaint
On behalf of activist and former political prisoner Ramy Shaath and his wife Céline Lebrun-Shaath, four human rights groups have filed a complaint against Egypt before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Human Rights Groups Call on Belgium to Open Investigation into Saudi Crown Prince for Crimes against Humanity
The Open Society Justice Initiative welcomes the support of DAWN, MENA Rights Group, and the Freedom Initiative for a criminal complaint it filed in Belgium against Saudi Arabia for crimes against humanity.
U.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.