Governments and practitioners have a suite of legal tools at their disposal with which to hold state actors, state proxies, non-state actors, and affiliated entities to account for human rights violations, atrocity crimes, financial abuses, and acts of terrorism, among other offenses. However, despite their potential potency, these tools are often under-utilized.

The Atlantic Council’s Strategic Litigation Project injects fresh thinking into how governments and practitioners can apply legal tools to advance human rights and accountability around the world.

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Strategic Litigation

Oct 2, 2023

Strategic Litigation Quarterly Newsletter: Exploring new and existing paths toward accountability

By the Strategic Litigation Project

SLP has continued to work on an archive documenting open-source evidence of human rights violations in Iran and on engaging with UN member states ahead of the body’s review of China.

China Human Rights

Subscribe to our newsletter for quarterly updates on the SLP’s work on prevention and accountability efforts for atrocity crimes, human rights violations, and terrorism and corruption offenses around the world.

Featured Events & Recaps

New Atlanticist

Sep 25, 2023

China’s ‘crimes against humanity’ targeting Uyghurs aren’t going away. Here’s what the international community can do.

By Atlantic Council

Don’t be fooled by China’s efforts to cover up its oppression of the Uyghur people and other Turkic minorities, human-rights experts warned.

China European Union

Event Recap

Mar 17, 2023

Prioritizing response and recovery for US persons wrongfully detained abroad

By Britt Gronemeyer and Alana Mitias

On February 15, the Atlantic Council’s Strategic Litigation Project held a discussion about the United States’ approach to cases of wrongful detentions abroad, how strategies can be improved, and ways to better support the families of those detained.

Eastern Europe Indo-Pacific

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Report

Oct 5, 2023

International avenues to hold the Islamic Republic of Iran accountable for human rights violations

By Lisandra Novo, Celeste Kmiotek, Elise Baker, Gissou Nia

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s discriminatory domestic legal framework and brutal suppression of dissent have left Iranians looking for international responses to their plight. This report aims to provide an overview of and recommendations relating to international avenues for accountability for atrocity crimes and human-rights violations committed in Iran.

Human Rights International Norms

Strategic Litigation

Oct 2, 2023

Strategic Litigation Quarterly Newsletter: Exploring new and existing paths toward accountability

By the Strategic Litigation Project

SLP has continued to work on an archive documenting open-source evidence of human rights violations in Iran and on engaging with UN member states ahead of the body's review of China.

China Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2021

The US needs better tools to fight transnational repression. Here’s where to start.

By Gissou Nia

As autocrats reach beyond their borders to punish their opponents, the United States must meet the challenge by preparing effective, forward-thinking policy.

Human Rights International Organizations

MENASource

Jul 13, 2021

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon: What does its closure mean for Lebanon?

By Nicholas Blanford, David Daoud, Gissou Nia, Reem Salahi

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is set to cease operations at the end of July due to lack of funds as Beirut sinks deeper into economic and political crisis. Atlantic Council experts react to what the closure means for Lebanon.

Lebanon Middle East

In the News

Jul 8, 2021

Nia in Just Security: “Will Iran’s New President be Held Accountable?”

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Elections

In the News

May 5, 2021

Nia quoted in the Star Observer on 20 year-old gay man killed in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Human Rights

In the News

Apr 7, 2021

Nia quoted in Al Jazeera on whether Clubhouse promotes democracy in Iran

Iran Media

In the News

Feb 4, 2021

Nia quoted in Newsweek on U.S. sanctions against Myanmar

East Asia Indo-Pacific

In the News

Jan 28, 2021

Nia quoted in The Hill on the renewal of the JCPOA and related human rights concerns

Human Rights Iran

In the News

Jan 27, 2021

Nia joins BBC News Farsi to discuss how the Biden administration can factor human rights into its approach towards Iran

Europe & Eurasia European Union