Jerusalem Institute of Justice

Description

The Jerusalem Institute of Justice, JIJ, is a nonprofit human rights organization based in Jerusalem. It was founded in 2004 by an Israeli civil rights lawyer. It pursues justice for survivors of terrorism, human trafficking and discrimination, and works to uphold what it calls Israel’s legitimate standing among nations.

Its legal aid department provides free legal representation to survivors of terrorism, trafficking and discrimination, and has argued precedent-setting cases before Israel’s Supreme Court. It also gives legal support on immigration and civil status matters, including visa applications, aliyah, asylum claims and status regularization for foreign spouses, and assists Haredi and lone soldiers in the military. Its international law department uses the organization’s consultative status at the United Nations to document human rights violations, represent survivors and pursue accountability through legal channels.

The organization is a leader in efforts to curb demand for prostitution and human trafficking in Israel, and has pushed for a legal framework treating people in prostitution as victims while criminalizing purchasers and pimps. It continues to provide free legal aid to survivors of sex and labor trafficking. Since the October 7 attacks, it has expanded its casework to cover survivors of war and people with disabilities.

The institute also runs education and training programs, including webinars, internships and fellowships for students and community leaders, hosting interns from more than twenty countries at its Jerusalem office.