Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act
 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act  (law)   | |
|---|---|
| US law to allow civil claims in the US justice system against a foreign state for injuries, death, or damages from an act of international "terrorism" |
Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) is a law passed by the United States Congress that narrows the scope of the legal doctrine of foreign sovereign immunity and amends the United States Code in regards to civil claims against a foreign state for injuries, death, or damages from an act of international "terrorism". Previously, U.S. victims of international terrorism were permitted to sue a foreign state if such state was listed as part of State Sponsors of Terrorism by the United States Department of State and if the U.S. victims were harmed by that state's aid for international terrorism against them. The new law authorises federal courts to exercise jurisdiction over any foreign state's critical support for one's act of international terrorism against a U.S. national or property regardless if such state is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism or not. The bill passed the Senate with no opposition in May 2016 and, in September 2016, was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives. While the bill does not mention the September 11 attacks or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the practical effect of the legislation is to allow to proceed a longstanding civil lawsuit against the Kingdom by the victims, families, and other interests that were injured or damaged in those attacks.[1] On September 28, 2016, both houses of Congress passed the bill into law after overriding a veto from President Obama which had occurred five days earlier. JASTA was the first presidential veto override of Obama's administration.
Related Document
| Title | Type | Publication date | Author(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Document:Sept 11 Widow Is First American To Sue Saudi Arabia For Terrorism: Her Full Lawsuit | Article | 1 October 2016 | 'Tyler Durden' | Widow of 9-11 victim Navy Commander Patrick Dunn sues Saudi Arabia |
References
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