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
ICC Judges Sue Trump Administration Over ICC Sanctions
Three ICC judges have filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of an Executive Order issued by President Trump, and are seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against sanctions by the U.S. government.
U.S. Court Bars Enforcement of Sanctions that Undermine the Rule of Law and Betray American Values
A U.S. federal court issued a permanent injunction to protect the First Amendment rights of two plaintiffs who are law professors and could have been targeted by the Trump Administration’s sanctions for their work with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
European Court Reaffirms Principles of EU Law Making It Likely That Denmark's “Ghetto Package” Is Racially Discriminatory
Open Society Foundations welcomes today’s landmark judgment from the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU), which reaffirmed principles of EU law making it likely that that central provisions of Denmark’s “Ghetto Package” violate the EU’s Race Equality Directive.