The U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Cisco Systems, Inc. v. Doe I (24-856) to determine if American corporations can be held liable for “aiding and abetting” human rights abuses committed by foreign governments. These events are scheduled at 10 a.m. ET on April 28.
Case Background:
This landmark lawsuit was brought by practitioners of Falun Gong, a religious group persecuted in China. The plaintiffs allege that Cisco Systems and its executives designed and customized the “Golden Shield”—a sophisticated surveillance and internal security system—specifically to help the Chinese Communist Party identify, track, and arrest them for their religious practices. Many plaintiffs reported being detained, tortured, or having family members killed as a result of this surveillance.
Key Legal Issues:
* Alien Tort Statute: Does this law allow private individuals to sue for “aiding and abetting” violations of international law?
* Torture Victim Protection Act: Does the liability for someone who “subjects an individual to torture” extend to those who provide the technological tools to facilitate it?
