US Supreme Court limits foreign human rights lawsuits against American corporations, ruling for tech giant Cisco Systems in a major legal victory.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a major ruling restricting the ability of foreign plaintiffs to pursue human rights lawsuits against American corporations over alleged abuses committed abroad, delivering a significant legal victory to businesses facing claims tied to foreign governments.
In a 6–3 decision in Cisco Systems, Inc. v. Doe (No. 24-856), the court concluded that the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) does not authorize federal judges to create new causes of action based on international legal norms and that the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA) does not provide for aiding-and-abetting liability.
The decision centers on whether American companies can be held financially responsible in U.S. courts for allegedly providing technology, equipment or other assistance that foreign governments use to commit human rights abuses. The ruling narrows the legal avenues available to victims seeking compensation for alleged torture and persecution overseas.