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Dutch Appeals Court Affirms Misconduct by TMF Management B.V. in Mozambique “Hidden Debt Scandal”
The ruling demonstrates an increase in scrutiny of under-regulated sovereign debt markets in the Global South, and comes at a time when many countries are experiencing heightened pressure to recover from the COVID-19 crisis by borrowing money.
Swedish Criminal Investigation of Chemical Weapons Attacks In Syria
On April 19, 2021, the Open Society Justice Initiative joined survivors of chemical weapons attacks in Syria, the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), Syrian Archive, and Civil Rights Defenders in filing a criminal complaint with Swedish War Crimes Commission within the Swedish Police Authority.
French Criminal Investigation of Chemical Weapons Attacks In Syria
On March 1, 2021, the Justice Initiative joined Syrian survivors of chemical weapons attacks, the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), and Syrian Archive in seeking a French criminal investigation for the August 2013 chemical weapons attacks on the city of Douma and on Eastern Ghouta.
Universal Jurisdiction in Sweden: Victims of Syria’s Chemical Weapons Attacks Demand Justice
This briefing paper explains the criminal complaints filed in Sweden on April 19, 2021, against the Syrian government for chemical weapons attacks in Al-Ghouta and Khan Shaykhun and the broader campaign for criminal accountability for chemical weapons use in Syria.
Why the End of U.S. Sanctions on the International Criminal Court Matters to My Community
By rescinding the sanctions, President Biden is acting in line with the promises made during his election campaign to heal his own nation and its relationships with the world.
New Complaint Filed in Sweden Against High-Ranking Assad Officials for Chemical Weapons Attacks In Syria
Criminal complaints on the Syrian government’s chemical weapons attacks on Khan Shaykhun and Ghouta in 2017 and 2013 have been filed before the Swedish police’s specialized war crimes unit. The complaint was spearheaded by Syrian victims and Civil Rights Defenders (CRD), Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), Syrian Archive, and the Justice Initiative.
Justice Initiative Joins Statement Calling For Greater Accountability for Syria’s War Crimes Ahead of Major International Chemical Weapons Meeting
In advance of the second meeting of the 25th Session of the Conference of the States Parties of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), 15 organizations have released a joint statement urging states to pursue greater accountability for crimes against humanity perpetrated during the Syrian conflict.
Open Society Justice Initiative Welcomes Revocation of ICC Executive Order
The Biden administration has rescinded a controversial Trump-era executive order that authorized draconian economic sanctions and severe civil and criminal penalties against those who support the International Criminal Court.
Denmark’s Plan to Rebrand its Racist “Ghetto Package” Will Cause More Housing Evictions
The new proposal simply replaces the term “ghetto” with “parallel societies,” but also increases the number of areas covered by the legislation and includes a requirement to reduce those of “non-Western background” to a maximum of 30 percent within ten years.
COVID-19 Will Lead to Long-Term Housing Insecurity. Governments Must Step In.
Housing crises are ticking time bombs that are being fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. If ignored, they will have major social and political consequences worldwide.
An Ongoing Syrian War Crimes Trial Provides Important Lessons about Witness Protection
Can national justice systems in Europe ensure the safety of witnesses to grave international crimes? Lawmakers must urgently examine reforms to protect these individuals from harassment, intimidation, and safety and security risks.
Justice Initiative Supports ACLU’s Challenge against International Criminal Court Sanctions
The Justice Initiative supports the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who filed a preliminary injunction in their case challenging the Trump administration’s executive order that authorized sanctions against individuals who assist the ICC.
The Justice Initiative Joins Survivors of Chemical Weapons Attacks and Syrian NGOs in Seeking French Criminal Investigation
The Justice Initiative has joined the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) and Syrian Archive in seeking a French criminal investigation into August 2013 chemical weapons attacks on the city of Douma and on Eastern Ghouta. The NGOs collaborated on a criminal complaint that was filed by SCM.
Open Society Calls for Global Sanctions on Saudi Crown Prince after U.S. Intelligence Report on Khashoggi Murder
The Biden administration released an unclassified intelligence report showing who is responsible for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. The Justice Initiative is calling for accountability.
Justice Initiative Welcomes First-Ever Conviction of Syrian Official for Crimes Against Humanity
In the trial of Eyad al-Gharib, a German court has, for the first time, convicted a Syrian official of crimes against humanity for acts perpetrated during the country’s decade long civil conflict.
For Hope for Human Rights, Look to Implementation
How effectively can UN and regional human rights treaty bodies police governments who violate human rights law and enforce decisions? Progress over the past ten years signals hope for the future of international human rights.
Open Society Justice Initiative v. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) et al.
The Justice Initiative seeks the public release by U.S. government agencies of all documents related to the brutal murder in Istanbul of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian dissident writer and editor, and a U.S. permanent resident.
Ongwen’s Guilty Verdict Must be Followed by Credible Reparations for Victims
Former child soldier and LRA commander Dominic Ongwen has been convicted of 61 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is the ICC's first conviction related to crimes in Uganda, and first verdict for forced marriage and forced pregnancy.
ASP Presidency Fails to Protect the Integrity of the Election of the Next ICC Prosecutor
In advance of the election of the next International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor now scheduled for February 12, 2021, the Justice Initiative laments the failure of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) presidency to establish a genuine vetting process for all candidates.
Prisons and Jails Should be Prioritized for the Coronavirus Vaccine
Under international law, vaccinating prison populations against COVID-19 is an obligation that falls to the government—and because they are particularly at risk, incarcerated persons should be among the first groups to be vaccinated.
