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From the treaty hearings to the courtroom
Sue the WHO.
IoJ has pushed further than almost anyone to hold the WHO to account. We spoke at the WHO's pandemic treaty hearings, became a partner civil society organization, and filed crimes against humanity complaints that the WHO's ethics office referred to national authorities.
The courtroom is next. Costa Rica's courts told us the WHO's rules have to be challenged as a question of legality in the ordinary courts, and that route needs licensed counsel on the brief.
1
Build the record
The treaty hearings, the complaints and the referrals, organized for a court.
2
Bring counsel on
A licensed attorney to file in the ordinary courts.
3
File the case
Challenge the legality of what the WHO does, where the law says it must be heard.
Monthly gifts keep this project moving. A single gift covers a filing fee. A monthly gift covers a case.
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At the table
Inside the treaty talks.
IoJ spoke at the WHO's pandemic treaty hearings and became a partner civil society organization in the process, so our objections went on the WHO's own record.
On the record
Crimes against humanity complaints.
IoJ filed crimes against humanity complaints with the WHO's ethics office. The ethics office referred them to national authorities.
Pressure that worked
12 of 13 dropped.
More than 50,000 public comments to the U.S. government on the IHR amendments, after which 12 of the 13 U.S. proposals were dropped. Months of legal demands to Costa Rica's delegates before the 2024 World Health Assembly, where Costa Rica broke from the consensus.
What comes next
The courtroom.
Costa Rica's courts told IoJ the WHO's rules have to be challenged as a question of legality in the ordinary courts. That route needs licensed counsel on the brief, and the Sue the WHO fund is what puts them there.
The WHO Files