Tell Bush to Support Human Rights Law

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Jane Doe I's day in court against Unocal

» Read more about Jane Doe I's stand againt Unocal.

The power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment.

Tell President Bush you want human rights protected

ATCA means an end to corporate impunity for brutal human rights abuses - and that's exactly why corporations don't like it. ATCA stands for the Alien Tort Claims Act, a 1789 law that allows citizens of other countries to sue in US courts for human rights violations that take place overseas.

The US business lobby and the Bush Administration now seek to repeal or weaken ATCA, which would roll back years of justice for victims of human rights abuse.

With your help, we want stop the Bush Administration's attack on ATCA. We want to tell President Bush that we will not stand by silently while he undermines our country's commitment to human rights and democracy.

Sign the letter below to asking President Bush to defend ATCA!

Be the 10220th to sign this letter to President Bush in defense of this 214 year old law.

Dear President Bush:

I am deeply concerned by your Administration's attack on the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA), and the principles of international human rights that this law upholds. ATCA is a 1789 law that allows victims of human rights abuses committed abroad to sue the perpetrators in U.S. courts. Violations that are covered by ATCA include torture, extrajudicial killing, forced labor, rape and genocide.

For over two decades, ATCA has been used as a remedy in U.S. courts for victims of serious human rights abuses, many of whom would have no other recourse anywhere else in the world. During this 23-year period, successive U.S. administrations have allowed this law to function in the courts without interference. Now your Administration, through the Department of Justice (DOJ), is trying to eliminate the use of this important human rights tool. 
 
Your Administration's attack on ATCA comes in the context of a landmark lawsuit against Unocal, a California-based oil company, for complicity in human rights violations in Burma. The victims of forced labor and rape by soldiers have shown evidence that Unocal aided and abetted these horrific crimes, committed by one of the world's most brutal regimes.

Mr. President, I believe that if a U.S. company knows such crimes will be committed, benefits from them, and even assists in their commission, that company should be held accountable. Currently, ATCA is the only mechanism for such accountability.

There is no evidence that ATCA lawsuits are causing harm to U.S. business, U.S. foreign policy or interfering in the effort to combat terror.  I call upon your Administration to demonstrate its commitment to human rights and democracy by allowing ATCA to function in our courts.

Sincerely,

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