International Justice
We work to strengthen the system of international criminal justice to hold accountable those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
The Open Society Justice Initiative supports the mission of the International Criminal Court, as well as national and regional accountability mechanisms that seek justice for mass atrocity crimes.
To make the International Criminal Court more effective, we support civil society engagement with the court and the defense of Rome Statute principles. Our International Justice Monitor is a leading source for informed, balanced reporting on trials underway at the court and elsewhere.
At a national level, we work with local groups and prosecutors seeking to build effective institutions and cases concerning atrocity crimes. When political factors obstruct justice at home, we push for alternative ways to hold perpetrators to account.
Over 40 NGOs Urge Reform Action on ICC Member States
Civil society organizations from around the world are urging member states of the International Criminal Court to take concrete steps towards reforming and strengthening the Court’s performance.
Raising the Bar: Improving the Nomination and Election of Judges to the International Criminal Court
There are currently significant flaws in the way that the member states of the International Criminal Court identify and elect judges to the court, leading to the election of less-qualified candidates, and a bench dominated by a handful of states.
German Prosecutors Charge Syrian Atrocity Crime Suspects
The trial of the two men will be the first international prosecution focusing on the widespread use of torture by the regime of Syria’s President Bashir al-Assad.
Cases
Federal Prosecutor's Office v. Anwar R.
This case, brought in Germany under the principles of Universal Jurisdiction, involves alleged responsibility for crimes against humanity committed in Syria, involving the accused, a former senior official with the Syrian government's General Intelligence Directorate.
Citizens Against Violence and Others v. the Attorney General of Kenya and Others
More than 400 Kenyans were shot dead by police during the post-election violence in Kenya in early 2008. Victims have brought a class action constitutional case demanding accountability for the killings.
Coalition on Violence Against Women and Others v. the Attorney-General of Kenya and Others
A group of Kenyan civil society organizations and victims of sexual and gender-based violence have brought a case to the Nairobi High Court against six Kenyan government officials demanding accountability.
Recent work
Excellence, not Politics, should Choose the Judges at the ICC
Nominations and elections of judicial candidates at the International Criminal Court often overlook merit-based considerations in favor of political interests. It's time for reform.
Raising the Bar: Improving the Nomination and Election of Judges to the International Criminal Court
There are currently significant flaws in the way that the member states of the International Criminal Court identify and elect judges to the court, leading to the election of less-qualified candidates, and a bench dominated by a handful of states.
The Trial of Bosco Ntaganda at the ICC: Sentencing
This background paper summarizes the main issues in the trial at the International Criminal Court of Bosco Ntaganda, the former Congolese rebel leader, ahead of his sentencing hearing, which runs September 17-20, 2019.
- Access to Justice
- Citizenship
- Economic Justice
- International Justice
- Corruption
- Criminal Justice
- Civic Space
- Discrimination and Equality
- Rule of Law
- National Security and Counterterrorism