Using the law. For a world free from torture, exploitation and fortressed borders.

Together with our global network, we enforce human rights and make injustice visible. In court and society.

Together for global justice: Our current cases

Seeking accountability for the crimes of Russia’s war of aggression

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has prompted a debate on how to best address international crimes and hold those responsible for them to account. In our web dossier, we explore potential options for pursuing this at the national and international level, as well as outline our approaches for strengthening international criminal law. 

Read our web dossier

Mediterranean Sea aerial view via Watch the Med: Red dots indicate locations of boats in distress, white circles indicate the approximate location of incidents mentioned in our ICC communication © Microsoft Corporations Eartstar Geographics SIO

EU-supported Libyan “sea rescue operations” – a crime against humanity. ICC must investigate

Interceptions of migrants and refugees at sea, their systematic returns to and detention in Libya is a crime against humanity. ECCHR filed a criminal complaint to the ICC demanding an investigation into the role of high-ranking EU & Member State officials in those cases of severe deprivation of liberty.  

More on the case 

Read more regarding our work on Libya  

Donate for justice

We seek justice for – and with – those around the world who are affected by torture, exploitation and fortressed borders.

ECCHR is a non-profit organization. One hundred percent of our budget comes from donations and grants. Help put an end to impunity for human rights violations!

CEDAW Recognition: Malaya Lolas suffer ongoing discrimination by the Philippine State

On 8 March 2023, the CEDAW Committee recognized the discrimination suffered by the Malaya Lolas resulting from the Philippine state’s lack of action. The committee recommended that the Philippines provide full reparations to the Malaya Lolas, a group of women survivors of sexual violence committed by the Imperial Japanese Army in WWII. This is a landmark decision for the recognition of the right to reparation for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) worldwide.

Read our statement here  

More on the case

Return of human remains: Dismantling colonial continuities

Tens of thousands of Human Remains/Ancestors are stored or displayed in German museum archives. They are denied their right to dignity and their descendants’ right to mourn is disregarded. Our new project aims to raise awareness about the racism and colonialist patterns of discrimination that continue to underpin this issue.

More on the project and our podcast

Fighting for human rights – not only in court

ECCHR’s human rights work encompasses much more than the mere application of applicable law. We want to break up unjust power relationships, initiate social and political debates, and thus contribute to social justice worldwide.

  • Cooperating with universities
  • Educating and training human rights lawyers
  • Cooperating with civil society actors and artists
  • Exchanging with transnational networks

ECCHR in the media

Four Indonesians take Swiss cement giant to court over climate

Al Jazeera

European politicians accused of conspiring with Libyan coastguard to push back refugees

The Guardian

An “unprecedented” effort to document war crimes in Ukraine. But what chance of justice?

Washington Post

How a Syrian war criminal was brought to justice – in Germany

New York Times

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Art & human rights

We conceive of the collaboration with artists as an opportunity to reach people, to hone their perceptions of injustice and to alter their perspectives. We also believe that art can provide a platform for those affected by injustice to make their voices heard – and to address conflicts collectively.

This is why, since our founding, we have collaborated with committed artists and cultural producers to bring the necessary depth to our collective quest for justice and to visualize the dimensions of the pressing questions of our time.

10 years: What our fellow campaigners say about us

ECCHR is active worldwide