On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that would resolve the dispute of whether or not corporations and political groups can be held liable in American courts for their involvement in the torture, killing and enslavement of individuals abroad. There are essentially two U.S. laws that give American courts the jurisdiction to decide human rights cases. The Supreme Court stated that it will clarify if these cases are limited to the individuals who committed the injustice or the corporations or political organizations as well.
The Supreme Court will hear the case of about 12 Nigerians who sued the Royal Dutch Shell oil company for torturing and executing dissidents in Nigeria in the 1990s. The Nigerians note in the lawsuit that "Shell aided and abetted the Nigerian regime." Another case that Supreme Court will hear is centered on the conflict between Palestinian authorities and the sons of a Palestinian American widow who was tortured by Palestinian intelligence officers in the 1990s. The Supreme Court will hear both cases at the same time.
While the Supreme Court has the power via legislative laws to hear cases and make decisions regarding human rights, they have not exercised that power until now. I believe that with the decisions rendered in the cases above, the American court system and subsequently the government will make great strides in setting examples in the realm of global human rights. Personally, I did not know that the Supreme Court had such power. This power could result in a new movement of peace-making through the judicial branch and court cases. The courts and the executive branch could work together in enforcing global human rights.
The Supreme Court will hear the case of about 12 Nigerians who sued the Royal Dutch Shell oil company for torturing and executing dissidents in Nigeria in the 1990s. The Nigerians note in the lawsuit that "Shell aided and abetted the Nigerian regime." Another case that Supreme Court will hear is centered on the conflict between Palestinian authorities and the sons of a Palestinian American widow who was tortured by Palestinian intelligence officers in the 1990s. The Supreme Court will hear both cases at the same time.
While the Supreme Court has the power via legislative laws to hear cases and make decisions regarding human rights, they have not exercised that power until now. I believe that with the decisions rendered in the cases above, the American court system and subsequently the government will make great strides in setting examples in the realm of global human rights. Personally, I did not know that the Supreme Court had such power. This power could result in a new movement of peace-making through the judicial branch and court cases. The courts and the executive branch could work together in enforcing global human rights.
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