Press Releases
Kiobel v. Shell: Supreme Court Limits Courts’ Ability to Hear Claims of Human Rights Abuses Committed Abroad
April 17th, 2013
April 17th, 2013
The U.S. Supreme Court today issued a disappointing decision in Kiobel v. Shell, holding that the ATS does not provide an avenue for justice for Nigerian human rights victims who were harmed when Shell Oil assisted the Nigerian government in attacking them and their family members. Despite this, the splintered opinions by Justices Kennedy, Alito, and Thomas leave open the possibility that companies and individuals may still be liable for their abuses in cases with a stronger connection to the United States.
U.S. DOJ finally releases General Vides Casanova’s Immigration Decision
April 4th, 2013
April 4th, 2013
In a surprise move, the US DOJ reversed itself and released to the NY Times the immigration decision which found former Salvadoran Defense Minister Vides Casanova responsible for widespread human rights abuses in the 1980s. Earlier in April, the NY Times sued DOJ for its release after a FOIA request was denied. CJA and our clients won a civil suit against the General in 2002 and have vigorously pursued efforts to have him removed. Click here to read the decision and here to read the NY Times article.
Civil Society Requests Expansion of More Charges in the Current Case 002 Trials
The passing of Ieng Sary and the dismissal of Ieng Thirith for mental unfitness—and the advanced age and poor health of the remaining two Khmer Rouge defendants (Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan)—make imperative the need for an efficient and exhaustive decision on the liability of Khmer Rouge era atrocities.
U.S. Cambodian Survivors See Death of Accused Ieng Sary as Missed Opportunity for Justice
March 14th, 2013
March 14th, 2013
Co-founder of the Khmer Rouge, Ieng Sary, died before a verdict was reached in the trial against him and two other senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime before the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). His death at the age of 87 serves as a wake-up call to the UN backed Tribunal, which has been riddled with delays since its inception.
'Baby Doc' Duvalier Human Rights Prosecution Must Continue!
February 21, 2013, Port au Prince, Haiti: Today the Haitian Court of Cassation will hear an appeal challenging the dismissal of human rights charges against former Haitian president Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier. The Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA), along with twenty-seven other human rights and torture treatment organizations from the Americas and around the world, filed an amicus brief with the court, arguing that Haiti will violate its duties under international and domestic law if it does not move forward with the prosecution.
Genocide Trial Against Former Guatemala President General Ríos Montt to Start
January 30, 2013
January 28th, 2013
January 28th, 2013
In a historic step, Guatemalan Judge Miguel Angel Galvez has decided to send to trial the case against former general Efrain Ríos Montt for genocide and crimes against humanity committed against the Mayan people, specifically the Ixil indigenous people.
Genocide Trial Against Former Guatemala President General Ríos Montt to Start January 30, 2013
January 28th, 2013
January 28th, 2013
In a historic step, Guatemalan Judge Miguel Angel Galvez has decided to send to trial the case against former general Efrain Ríos Montt for genocide and crimes against humanity committed against the Mayan people, specifically the Ixil indigenous people.
Victory in Case Against Somali Colonel Magan!
November 20th, 2012
November 20th, 2012
A federal court in Ohio found Colonel Magan liable for the torture, arbitrary detention and cruel treatment of CJA client and former Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience, Professor Abukar Ahmed (pictured here). Magan was the head of the notorious National Security Service where thousands were unlawfully detained and tortured.
CJA Statement on Defendant Ieng Thirith's Dismissal from Khmer Rouge Trial
On September 13, 2012, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) dismissed Ieng Thirith from the second Khmer Rouge trial on grounds of mental unfitness. Ieng Thirith has been widely believed to have Alzheimer’s disease, affecting her memory and ability to confront evidence against her at trial.
CJA Statement on Defendant Ieng Thirith's Dismissal from Khmer Rouge Trial
September 14th, 2012
September 14th, 2012
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) dismissed Ieng Thirith from the second Khmer Rouge trial on grounds of mental unfitness. Ieng Thirith has been widely believed to have Alzheimer’s disease, affecting her memory and ability to confront evidence against her at trial.
Samantar Case: $21 Million Judgment in Favor of CJA Clients
August 28th, 2012
August 28th, 2012
U.S. Federal Judge Leonie Brinkema awarded $21 million in compensatory and punitive damages against former Somali General Mohamed Ali Samantar. This judgment marks the first time that any Somali government official has been held accountable for the atrocities perpetrated under the Siad Barre regime.
CJA Statement on the Supreme Court's Decision in Mohamad v. Palestinian Authority
April 18th, 2012
April 18th, 2012
On April 18, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA) does not impose liability against organizations for acts of torture and extrajudicial killing. CJA calls upon Congress to ensure that organizations who are responsible for human rights abuses, such as torture, extrajudicial killing, and crimes against humanity, are held liable.
Somali General And Commander Of The Armed Forces Liable For War Crimes
February 23rd, 2012
February 23rd, 2012
Former Somali General Mohamad Ali Samantar accepted liability before U.S. federal judge Leonie Brinkema for torture, extrajudicial killing, war crimes and other human rights abuses committed against the civilian population of Somalia during the brutal Siad Barre regime.
Jesuits Massacre: Spain Requests Extradition of Salvadoran Ex-Military Officials from El Salvador and the U.S.
January 12th, 2012
January 12th, 2012
CJA has confirmed that the formal extradition requests from the Spanish Government have arrived in El Salvador, with simultaneous transmittal to the United States likely, for
fifteen former members of the Salvadoran military, including members of the high command. The defendants have all been charged with conspiracy to assassinate and the assassination of 5 Spanish Jesuits and 3 Salvadoran citizens. Of these requests, 13 are for defendants in El Salvador, and 2 are for
defendants in the United States
Ahmed v. Magan: Former Chief of Somali National Security Service Faces Lawsuit for Torture
April 21st, 2010
April 21st, 2010
The Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA) and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP filed a lawsuit on behalf of constitutional law professor Abukar Hassan Ahmed who was imprisoned and tortured in Somalia during the brutal regime of Siad Barre.
CJA Files Respondents' Brief with U.S. Supreme Court in Samantar v. Yousuf
January 20th, 2010
January 20th, 2010
Court to decide if former foreign government officials who use torture, rape and killing as tools of repression are above the law, or whether those who avail themselves of all the benefits of living in the U.S. must, like all other Americans, submit themselves to U.S. law.
