Civil and Human Rights Coalition Criticizes Supreme Court Ruling in Kiobel as a Setback for Human Rights

Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”,”serif”;}

WASHINGTON – Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co., which severely limits the ability of foreign nationals who are victims of human rights abuses to seek redress in U.S. courts:

“Today’s decision in Kiobel v Royal Dutch Petroleum undermines the unique and important role of U.S. courts in providing an opportunity for justice for those who have suffered serious human rights violations at the hands of repressive regimes around the world. 

With this decision, the Supreme Court has closed our courthouse doors to those foreign nationals whose rights have been violated by governments or governments in collaboration with corporations in countries without fair and effective judicial systems. The United States must stand as a global leader to advance and protect human rights.”

Wade Henderson is president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.