What must victims of human rights violations typically do before turning to international courts?

Victims of human rights violations are generally required to exhaust all local remedies before they can bring their cases to international courts. This principle is grounded in the idea that individuals should first seek justice and resolution through their own national legal systems. Local remedies may include filing complaints with national courts, government agencies, or other relevant bodies that can address the violation.

The rationale behind this requirement is to allow the national judicial system an opportunity to rectify the situation, thereby reinforcing the importance of national sovereignty and the function of domestic law. Additionally, exhausting local remedies helps to ensure that the international courts are reviewing cases that are truly in need of international attention, as many violations may be resolved internally with appropriate legal actions.

While seeking publicity or using social media may draw attention to an issue and help mobilize public support, these actions do not fulfill the legal requirement of exhausting local remedies. Similarly, filing a complaint solely with the government does not guarantee access to the courts or a comprehensive resolution of human rights violations, and it does not encapsulate all possible local remedies available to victims.