We argue human rights cases before the UN.
Just Access is a human-rights law NGO in Heidelberg. We litigate, we publish, and we represent civil society before the UN treaty bodies, the special procedures and the regional human rights courts.
We hold civil-society seats at the UNCAC Coalition, the OSCE Network, the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, the UNODC and CIVICUS.
Three ways we unlock access to justice.
LitigateWe bring strategically chosen cases, amicus briefs and submissions to the courts and treaty bodies that can set precedent — among them the Inter-American and European Courts of Human Rights and the UN special procedures.Strategic litigation
PublishWe turn legal analysis into something a non-lawyer can read: the blog, the podcast, conference papers and a human rights toolkit.Research and publications
RepresentWe hold civil-society seats at the UNCAC Coalition, the UNODC, the Coalition for the ICC, the OSCE Network and CIVICUS, and speak there for the people we work with.Our partners
What that means in practice
What we do
- International and domestic litigation
- Legal assistance and representation
- Development of legal strategies
- Individual and collective legal actions
- Legal research
- Legal training and education
With
- UN Human Rights Council
- UN treaty bodies
- Special Procedures
- Regional human rights courts
- Domestic criminal law systems
- NGOs
- Academic institutions
To achieve
- Implementation of human rights standards in the relevant legal order
- Change of patterns of systemic infringements of human rights
- Exposing of structural injustice
- Empowerment through knowledge of international justice and international law
- Independence of the judiciary worldwide
Six areas where we work
Each area gathers our analysis, submissions, projects and podcast episodes in one place, so a subject can be followed rather than searched for.
Environmental justiceClimate litigation and the right to a healthy environment.
Institutional corruptionOur work at the UNCAC and the UNODC on corruption as a barrier to justice.
State responsibilityHolding states to account for violations, from chemical weapons to unlawful force.
Transitional justiceAccountability after conflict, and the courts that deliver it.
Business and human rightsCorporate accountability, supply chains, and the Business and Human Rights Forum.
Indigenous rightsLand, consent, and our submissions to the UN Special Rapporteur.
We act for
- Women
- Children
- Minorities
- Migrants
- Detainees
- Everyone in vulnerable circumstances
Those in a situation of vulnerability face excessive impediments and difficulties in claiming their rights and accessing justice. Removing those impediments is the whole of our work.
Just Access can be contacted confidentially, including by people who have survived human rights violations. If you are not sure whether your situation is something we can help with, you are welcome to write to us anyway.
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Be a human rights hero
Our work depends on the generosity of people like you. Your donations are what make this work possible.
- Bringing cases before courts and treaty bodies
- Standing with people who have survived human rights abuses
- Advocating for change that outlasts a single case
Just Access is a registered non-profit in Heidelberg.
Justice begins with you
Just Access exists to champion the right of every person to access to justice — through education and outreach, advocacy, and strategic litigation.
We work alongside
- UNCAC Coalition
- OSCE Network
- Coalition for the ICC
- UNODC
- CIVICUS