International Human Rights Litigation in U. S. Courts [Hardcover]

Beth Stephens (Author), Michael Ratner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0941320952 | ISBN-13: 978-0941320955 | Publication Date: December 1, 1996

Of value to human rights litigators and activists, this manual provides a step-by-step practical guide to handling lawsuits in the United States for human rights abuses committed in other countries. The authors fully cover the relevant statutory law and jurisprudence, especially the Alien Tort Claims Act and the Torture Victim Protection Act. They also discuss the thornier issues that often arise in such cases, including problems of jurisdiction and immunity, choice of law and sources of international law.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 377 pages
• Publisher: Transnational Pub (December 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941320952
• ISBN-13: 978-0941320955
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,894,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A very practical manual, March 31, 2002

By 

Iconoclast - See all my reviews

This review is from: International Human Rights Litigation in U. S. Courts (Hardcover)

Although I am only a law student, I want to express great appreciation for this manual for litigating (foreign) human rights torts cases in U.S. courts. Not only does it include the evolution of case law and statutes on the subject, presenting this in the most helpful way; not only does it describe the current status of relatively resolved, or possible issues and the apparent trends as of 1996; it also suggests strategies, caveats, with explicit attention to specific pitfalls and opportunities. Simultaneously it is a history, an analysis, and a workbook. I only wish I could afford to buy it!
[For reasons fully explained and practical, it focuses on the Alien Tort Claims Act and the Torture Victims Protection Act, and is not very pertinent to any attempt at raising issues of domestic human rights for Americans violated by Americans in the United States. It does, however point out the wisdom of including all municipal causes of action along with one's reference to international law: treaties, covenants, customary law, and especially jus cogens.]