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Sosa v. Alvarez: Jose Francisco Sosa, Petitioner, v. Humerto Alvarez-Machain, Respondent

Supreme Court of the United States, No. 03-339 02/27/04

On Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Brief of Amici Curiae International Human Rights Organizations and Religious Organizations In Support of Respondent

    "The nations of the world have reached a consensus that international law prohibits a set of core human rights abuses. These prohibitions are universally considered to be binding; no nation claims the right to violate them. Although the litigants have attempted to assert claims over a wide range of additional abuses, the courts have consistently applied the Alien Tort Claims Act to a short list of egregious human rights abuses. The facts presented below support the finding that Respondent suffered arbitrary arrest and detention in violation of a core principle of international human rights law. The rights of Respondent is an important contribution to the worldwide battle against impunity. Petitioner improperly tries to paint this case as hindering efforts to combat terrorism. If there is any connection, it is exactly the opposite: using judicial means to redress egregious abuses furthers the struggle against terrorism, rather than undermining it."

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