Democratic Practice
Vibrant democracy requires more than counting votes. We seek to strengthen laws that ensure equal access and participation, and that protect independent voices and debate.
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.
EU Top Court Strikes Down Hungarian “Stop Soros” Law
The EU’s top court has found that a 2018 Hungarian law targeting independent civil society breaches EU norms.
African Court Calls on Nations to Bolster Election Fairness and Transparency During COVID-19
All African Union Member States have a duty under international law to guarantee fairness and transparency in elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cases
Elections in Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU) has submitted a request seeking guidance from the African Court on Human and People’s Rights for states and regional institutions on how to hold elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Open Society Institute–Budapest v. Hungary
The Open Society Foundations are calling on the European Court of Human Rights to address violations of the rights to freedom of association and expression by the Hungarian government.
Recent work
Open Society Justice Initiative Welcomes U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Upholding Birthright Citizenship
The Open Society Justice Initiative welcomes today’s U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in preserving birthright citizenship, which has stood as a constitutional guarantee of equal protection and a foundation of the post-Civil War democratic order.
2025 Global Litigation Report
This report provides highlights of global litigation work carried out by the Open Society Justice Initiative in 2024—with summaries of major cases in Climate Justice, Gender Persecution, International Justice, and Social Media Platform Accountability that seek to advance Open Society's vision of a world shaped by justice, equity, and rights.
