Push for investigations and prosecutions of atrocity crimes.
Use legal accountability pathways to raise the cost of atrocity crimes even when politics blocks action. Support UN fact-finding missions and strengthen cases for the International Criminal Court, ad hoc tribunals, and national courts using universal jurisdiction. The goal is to build durable records and prosecution pathways so impunity becomes harder over time.
Why this works
- Signals that perpetrators will face consequences, deters some abuses, and gives victims a path to justice.
- The recent Argentinian court warrants for Myanmar’s junta leaders charged with genocide is a powerful example.
Human Rights First
Tax-deductibleAmerican leadership on human rights at home and abroad
Mechanism
About LitigationHow Human Rights First uses funding
- Select the strongest venue and theory (UN missions, the ICC, ad hoc tribunals, or universal-jurisdiction cases) based on leverage.
- Build the record through documentation, briefs, and supporting evidence.
- Initiate or back formal steps that move investigations and prosecutions forward.
- Pursue interim steps that preserve evidence and keep pressure on perpetrators while cases proceed.
- Track rulings and compliance and publish milestone updates as cases advance.
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
Venue + case theory defined
0–30 daysPriority venues and the scope of accountability actions are documented with a realistic path forward.
- 2
Evidence record strengthened
1–3 monthsDocumentation is compiled and organized for investigative or court use.
- 3
Formal accountability action advanced
3–6 monthsA mission request, filing, or jurisdictional action is initiated or supported.
- 4
Follow-through + compliance tracked
OngoingUpdates track hearings, findings, rulings, and compliance steps as they occur.