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.
Open Society Justice Initiative Sues Trump Administration over International Criminal Court Executive Order
The Open Society Justice Initiative has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government over a Trump administration executive order authorizing draconian economic sanctions and severe civil and criminal penalties for those who support the ICC.
Building Roads to Justice in Syria
The Open Society Justice Initiative is part of a broad movement of Syrian and international groups that are bringing some of those responsible for atrocity crimes in Syria before courts in Europe.
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.
Cases
Open Society Justice Initiative et al. v. Donald J. Trump et al.
The Open Society Justice Initiative and four law professors have filed a complaint against the U.S. government over a Trump administration executive order authorizing draconian economic sanctions and severe civil and criminal penalties for those who support the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Federal Prosecutor's Office v. Anwar R.
Anwar R., a former Syrian colonel who led a unit of Syria's General Intelligence Directorate, has been accused of supervising the “systematic and brutal torture” of more than 4,000 prisoners in a detention center known as Al Khatib, or Branch 251, resulting in the deaths of at least 58 people.
Chemical Weapons Attacks in Syria
The Justice Initiative has joined with Syrian groups in filing the first criminal complaint against Syrian government officials for the 2013 and 2017 chemical weapons attacks in Ghouta and Khan Shaykhun.
Recent work
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.
- Access to Justice
- Citizenship
- Civic Space
- Climate
- Corruption
- Criminal Justice
- Discrimination and Equality
- Economic Justice
- International Justice
- National Security and Counterterrorism
- Rule of Law