The Washington Times website reports today (April 19, 2012) that the relatives of a U.S. citizen -- who was allegedly tortured and killed by Palestinian intelligence officers on the West Bank -- may not sue the Palestinian Authority or the PLO for damages under the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA).
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 9 to 0 yesterday that a 1991 anti-torture law authorizes civil lawsuits only against an individual who actually carried out the torture or killing -- not against an organization with which the alleged torturer or killer was associated.
The unanimous Supreme Court decision is important, because it limits the amount of damages available to victims under the TVPA by making clear that recovery is contingent on the assets of the alleged torturer or killer, and not on an organization.
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