Wiwa v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co.: A New Standard for the Enforcement of International Law in U.S. Courts?

Yale Human Rights & Development Law Journal, Vol. 5, 2002

14 Pages Posted: 16 May 2009

See all articles by Aaron Xavier Fellmeth

Aaron Xavier Fellmeth

Arizona State University (ASU) - Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

Date Written: 2002

Abstract

U.S. courts have traditionally been reluctant to exercise jurisdiction over human rights violations committed abroad against foreign persons, often invoking forum non conveniens to dismiss cases. The Second Circuit's ruling in Wiwa v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Company altered the balance of forum non conveniens, making it easier to bring claims based on a foreign human rights violation despite the availability of an alternative forum. The court's reasoning emphasized the interest of the United States in vindicating human rights abroad and would hold wealthy parties to a greater standard of inconvenience than poorer parties. The decision may mark a turning point away from judicial indifference and hostility to international human rights law.

Keywords: jurisdiction, human rights, international law

Suggested Citation

Fellmeth, Aaron Xavier, Wiwa v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co.: A New Standard for the Enforcement of International Law in U.S. Courts? (2002). Yale Human Rights & Development Law Journal, Vol. 5, 2002, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1405449

Aaron Xavier Fellmeth (Contact Author)

Arizona State University (ASU) - Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law ( email )

Box 877906
Tempe, AZ 85287-7906
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
154
Abstract Views
1,639
Rank
345,247
PlumX Metrics