Supreme Court Limits Corporate Liability Under Alien Tort Statute
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling that effectively concludes a lawsuit brought by members of the Falun Gong movement against Cisco Systems. The suit alleged that the California-based technology company developed surveillance technology that facilitated the Chinese government's persecution of Falun Gong adherents.
Reversal of Lower Court Decision
On Tuesday, the justices overturned a previous decision by a lower court, which had allowed the 2011 lawsuit to proceed. The case was filed under the Alien Tort Statute of 1789, a federal law that has been used to pursue human rights abuse claims against corporations for actions committed outside the United States.
The plaintiffs had contended that Cisco knowingly created and provided technology that enabled the Chinese government to monitor and persecute Falun Gong members. This latest Supreme Court decision further narrows the scope of the Alien Tort Statute, impacting its application in holding corporations accountable for alleged human rights violations abroad.
Source: Original Article