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Federal Prosecutor's Office v. Anwar R.
Anwar R., a former Syrian colonel who led a unit of Syria's General Intelligence Directorate, has been accused of supervising the “systematic and brutal torture” of more than 4,000 prisoners in a detention center known as Al Khatib, or Branch 251, resulting in the deaths of at least 58 people.
Over 40 NGOs Urge Reform Action on ICC Member States
Civil society organizations from around the world are urging member states of the International Criminal Court to take concrete steps towards reforming and strengthening the Court’s performance.
Justice Initiative Warns against Dropping Inquiry Demand in CIA Kidnap Case
The Open Society Justice Initiative is urging continued European pressure on North Macedonia to properly investigate its role in the kidnapping, torture and rendition to Afghanistan of Khaled el-Masri, a German national, as required by a landmark 2012 ruling of the European Court of Human Rights.
The Case of Khaled el-Masri v. FYRO Macedonia
An update on the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights ruling in the case of Khaled el-Masri, a Germany national who was seized and detained in 2004 i in what was then the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and handed over to the CIA and rendered to Afghanistan.
Sentsov and Kolchenko v. Russia
The imposition of Russian nationality on Ukrainian citizens in Crimea resulted in the violation of the applicants' fair trial rights.
Open Society Justice Initiative Comments on Expansion of Immigrant DNA Collection in U.S.
Open Society Justice Initiative and Instituto para Mujeres en la Migración have submitted a public comment over the Trump administration’s efforts to expand the forcible DNA collection of non-citizens in the United States.
Justice Initiative Contributes to UN Expert Report on Private Debt and Human Rights
The Justice Initiative has contributed comments regarding EU law and mortgage default cases in Ireland and Romania to an upcoming UN Independent Expert report.
New Report Takes Stock of Court Reparations Rulings across Latin America
Courts across Latin America have developed innovative approaches to the challenge of delivering reparations to the victims of violence. A new report outlines lessons learned.
Case Watch: Ukraine ICJ Ruling Strengthens Protections against Discriminatory Use of Citizenship Law
In agreeing to proceed with a complaint by Ukraine against the Russian Federation, the International Court of Justice underlined the principle that states cannot use exclusionary citizenship laws to discriminate, and that such action can be challenged before its judges.
The Use of EU Law to Protect Civic Space
This briefing paper examines how European Union law can be used to protect the fundamental rights of independent civil society groups, in the face of government encroachment.
Regulating Police Stop and Search: An Evaluation of the Northamptonshire Police: Reasonable Grounds Panel—Fact Sheet
This fact sheet outlines how unique initiative between police and community members in Northamptonshire, UK has resulted in a more lawful and effective use of stop and search.
Regulating Police Stop and Search: An Evaluation of the Northamptonshire Police Reasonable Grounds Panel
This report outlines how a unique initiative between police and community members in Northamptonshire, UK has resulted in a more lawful and effective use of stop and search.
Q&A: Amid Rising Stop and Search Rates in England & Wales, a Better Model Emerges
A unique partnership between police and community members in Northamptonshire, UK, shows how police officers can improve community relations and trust, while also practicing effective policing.
German Prosecutors Charge Syrian Atrocity Crime Suspects
The trial of the two men will be the first international prosecution focusing on the widespread use of torture by the regime of Syria’s President Bashir al-Assad.
Excellence, not Politics, should Choose the Judges at the ICC
Nominations and elections of judicial candidates at the International Criminal Court often overlook merit-based considerations in favor of political interests. It's time for reform.
Raising the Bar: Improving the Nomination and Election of Judges to the International Criminal Court
There are currently significant flaws in the way that the member states of the International Criminal Court identify and elect judges to the court, leading to the election of less-qualified candidates, and a bench dominated by a handful of states.
Case Watch: UN Finds Mexico Responsible for Man’s Disappearance, Relies on Witness’s Word
There are more than 40,000 people who are missing in Mexico. One family’s journey to find out what happened to their son could help others seeking justice.
African Commission Rules against Cameroon in Radio Station Case
The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights has ordered Cameroon to pay compensation for blocking the launch of an independent radio station, in a ruling that reinforces protections for freedom of expression.
Freedom FM v. Cameroon
This case concerns a current-affairs radio station that was denied a broadcasting license in Cameroon.
Askarov v. Kyrgyzstan
Human rights defender Azimjan Askarov was detained and tortured by police in Kyrgyzstan after documenting human rights violations committed during inter-ethnic conflict in 2010. Askarov was given a life sentence after being denied a fair trial and died in July 2020.