International Justice
We pursue and support strategic litigation to strengthen the system of international justice, to hold accountable those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
Despite the advances of the 20th century in the evolution of international criminal law, heinous crimes continue to be committed with impunity and threaten peace and security in many parts of the world.
This work involves documentation, litigation, and legal advocacy in cooperation with partners, including victims, survivors, and other members of affected communities.
Justice Initiative Joins Common Stand Against US Sanctions on ICC
The Open Society Justice Initiative has joined more than 70 civil society and faith-based organizations in expressing its deep concern over the potential use of United States sanctions to attack the International Criminal Court.
Afghanistan's Taliban Face New International Pressure on Rights of Women and Girls
Four countries are calling the Taliban to account over their violations of the rights of women and girls, in a process that could bring the Afghan regime before the International Court of Justice.
French Court of Appeal Validates Historic Arrest Warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad: A Legal Milestone and Important Victory for Survivors
The Paris Court of Appeal upheld arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two senior military officials for their alleged roles in the 2013 Ghouta and Douma chemical attacks.
Cases
Hospital Attacks in Syria
Russia’s air force deliberately attacked Kafr Nabl hospital in Syria in 2019. A legal filing, brought on behalf of victims and survivors, seeks a ruling from the UN Human Rights Committee on the attack—part of a wider pattern of attacks against health care facilities in Syria by Russian forces.
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.
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.
Recent work
Q&A: Bringing a Case Before the International Court of Justice for the Rights of Afghan Women and Girls
This paper addresses 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.
New Guide Explores Issues around Open Source Evidence in Court
A new guide examines the status of digital open source material as evidence in judicial proceedings, and how should judges and fact-finders approach its analysis.
Syrians Seek UN Rights Ruling against Russia for 2019 Hospital Attacks
A legal complaint seeks justice for Syrian victims of attacks by the Russian air force, and seeks to reinforce protections for health care facilities in war-time.