International Human Rights NGO · Led by Refugees

Where borders don't determine your right to Justice

An international human rights NGO pursuing justice for the displaced, the persecuted, and the silenced — through strategic litigation, UN advocacy, and survivor-centered legal action across borders.

Justice
100M+
Displaced Worldwide
193
UN Member States

Working towards a world where no one endures forced displacement without the hope of justice

Universal Justice for All is an international human rights NGO led by refugees dedicated to strengthening justice mechanisms for displaced and persecuted people worldwide. We advocate for those whose voices have been silenced — crossing political borders to address systemic impunity.

Our approach combines rigorous legal strategy with survivor-centered advocacy, targeting the accountability gaps that leave millions without recourse. We believe justice is not a privilege reserved for those who remain inside their borders.

Learn About Our Approach
01

Accountability

Challenging impunity and enforcing human rights norms beyond territorial boundaries.

02

Survivor Voice

Centering the lived experience of displaced people in all legal and advocacy strategies.

03

Transnational Justice

Building frameworks that enforce rights across jurisdictions, regardless of geography or politics.

04

Institutional Reform

Working toward sustainable change within UN mechanisms and resettlement programs globally.

See the work in action

Watch our story

Led by those who lived it

Executive Director
Marilia Garcia Lazo

An international human rights lawyer and former refugee, Marilia is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Oxford, specializing in International Human Rights Law. Her work with the United Nations has focused on transitional justice, accountability for conflict-related sexual violence, and institutional reform in post-conflict settings.

Litigation Director
Niurys Robaina

A distinguished civil litigator and honors graduate of Florida International University College of Law, Niurys leads the organization's legal strategy with clarity and conviction. Her expertise in survivor-centered advocacy ensures the initiative remains rooted in both legal excellence and principled purpose.

Director of Strategic Legal Affairs
Claudia Acosta

Claudia Acosta left Cuba at the age of 13. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Political Science from Florida International University, graduating cum laude, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, also cum laude. A fluent Spanish speaker and experienced litigator, Claudia brings strategic legal expertise and a deeply personal connection to the mission of Universal Justice for All.

"Jonathan's case represents every violation the international legal framework was designed to prevent — a minor, detained without warrant, denied counsel, held in an adult maximum-security prison, and prosecuted for speech. The legal arguments here are not close calls. They are unambiguous."

Every case submitted is a step toward accountability

"Justice that cannot cross a border is no justice at all."

Whether you're a survivor, a witness, or an advocate — your voice matters. We work with legal partners across jurisdictions to bring forward cases of human rights violations, especially those overlooked or silenced by geography and power.

01

Submit Securely

Report your case through our confidential intake process, accessible from anywhere in the world.

02

Legal Review

Our team assesses each case for international legal avenues, jurisdiction, and strategy.

03

Cross-Border Action

We pursue accountability through international courts, UN mechanisms, and partner organizations.

Join the movement for universal justice

Whether you want to submit a case, join our network, or support our work — we'd love to hear from you. Justice knows no borders, and neither does solidarity.

Our work, documented

Every case we take is a matter of public record. Below you will find our formal submissions, press releases, and actions taken before international mechanisms on behalf of those we represent.

Active Case · Cuba · June 6, 2026
Jonathan David Muir Burgos
UN Reference
80vorqcn

Jonathan David Muir Burgos, born May 28, 2009, is a 17-year-old Cuban national arrested on March 16, 2026 for peacefully protesting power outages and food shortages in Morón, Ciego de Ávila Province. He is currently held in Canaleta Maximum Security Prison — an adult facility — denied medical treatment, denied independent legal counsel, and charged with sabotage under Article 343 of the Cuban Penal Code.

Universal Justice for All filed the first-ever simultaneous communication before four UN Special Procedures mechanisms on his behalf, demanding his immediate and unconditional release.

Arbitrary Detention Freedom of Expression Peaceful Assembly Human Rights Defenders
Documents
UN Special Procedures Submission
Reference: 80vorqcn · June 6, 2026
Press Release — UN Submission
Universal Justice for All · June 6, 2026
Press Release — Case Overview
Universal Justice for All · June 6, 2026
Status: Active — Awaiting UN Response
82 days imprisoned as of June 6, 2026 IACHR Precautionary Measures: Resolution 30/2026

Argument & Commentary

Essay · July 2026
My Great Uncle Survived 26 Years in a Cuban Political Prison. Economic Reform Won't Answer for That.
As Cuba announces sweeping economic reforms, our co-founder Marília García Lazo argues that economic opening without accountability is not reform but impunity with a new name — tracing an unbroken line of political imprisonment from 1974 to the present day.
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Press & Announcements

Press Release · June 7, 2026
Universal Justice for All Calls on European Parliament to Name Jonathan David Muir Burgos in Historic June 2026 Resolution and Suspend EU-Cuba Cooperation Agreement
UJFA has submitted civil society evidence to the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and key MEPs ahead of the June 2026 plenary vote that could suspend the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement.
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Press Release · June 6, 2026
Universal Justice for All Files UN Urgent Action for 16-Year-Old Cuban Prisoner Jonathan David Muir Burgos
Our organization filed a formal Urgent Action before four UN Special Procedures mechanisms demanding the immediate release of Jonathan, a teenager held in a maximum-security adult prison in Cuba for peacefully protesting.
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