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Q&A: Bringing a Case Before the International Court of Justice for the Rights of Afghan Women and Girls
This paper considers 21 questions around the feasibility of bringing a complaint at the International Court of Justice against Afghanistan's Taliban for egregious and prevalent violations of women’s and girls’ rights.
A Podcast Gives Voice to Syrians Searching for Justice in Europe International Justice
Now in its second series, “The Syria Trials” tells the human stories behind the drive to prosecute al-Assad regime officials for atrocity crimes before European courts.
Immunities and a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
This briefing paper provides a non-exhaustive overview of the application of immunities to prosecutions for the crime of aggression, particularly to the Russian head of state, head of government, and minister of foreign affairs, before a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
Criminal Complaint for Saudi Crimes Against Humanity in Belgium
The Justice Initiative filed a complaint of crimes against humanity with the Belgian federal prosecutor under universal jurisdiction on behalf of Alia and Lina al-Hathloul for grave crimes committed against their sister Loujain al-Hathloul by the Saudi regime.
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.
Model 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.
Q&A: How Putin Could Be Put on Trial for the Crime of Aggression
James A. Goldston, executive director of the Justice Initiative, explains how Russia’s President Vladimir Putin could be prosecuted for the crime of aggression committed against Ukraine.
UN 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.
From 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.
Civil Society Groups Urge Egypt to Implement Decision from Africa’s Top Human Rights Body on Torture and Abusive Detention
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) and the Open Society Justice Initiative have sent a letter to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to express grave concern about Egypt’s continued non-compliance with the Commission’s decision in El Sharkawi v. Arab Republic of Egypt.
Hanan v. Germany
In 2016, Abdul Hanan, the father of the two boys killed in a German airstrike in Afghanistan, filed a complaint before the European Court for Human Rights alleging that Germany had not conducted an effective investigation into the attack.
European States’ Obligations to Repatriate the Children Detained in Camps in Northeast Syria
This legal briefing paper provides information to assist practitioners in advocating and litigating for the repatriation of children who are detained in northeast Syria and whose parents are European nationals possibly affiliated with ISIS.
Justice Initiative Commends the Supreme Court for Declining to Immunize US Companies for International Law Violations Committed Abroad
The Supreme Court has ruled against enslaved children's bid to hold U.S. companies accountable for abusive labor practices, it also held that companies are not fully exempt—leaving open a route to greater corporate accountability.
Human Rights Organizations Thank ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda for Service
Human rights organizations sent their gratitude to the outgoing International Criminal Court’s Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, for her many years of service.
Justice Initiative Settles ICC Executive Order Lawsuit with the Biden Administration
The Open Society Justice Initiative settled their lawsuit against the U.S. government an executive order that authorized sanctions against the International Criminal Court.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Trial of Dominic Ongwen at the ICC: The Judgment
This paper summarizes the main issues in the trial of Dominic Ongwen, a former commander in the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group, including evidence presented by the prosecution, defense, and victims’ representatives.
