Illusion and Reality in the Compensation of Victims of International Terrorism
22 Pages Posted: 18 Feb 2007
Abstract
This Article argues that the judicial and legislative practices in the United States are creating a counterfeit reality with respect to the compensation of victims of terrorism: U.S. courts enter large monetary judgments against State sponsors of terrorism, purporting to hold them responsible for their human rights violations. Yet because no domestic or international mechanism exists for enforcing these judgments against the violating States, victims' groups instead look to the U.S. Congress - and, particularly, to the U.S. Treasury - to satisfy their judicial awards. The system thus creates only the illusion of enforcing human rights, and it may ultimately set back the program for the protection of human rights by diverting attention from the critical issues.
Keywords: Terrorism, International Law, Compensation, Human Rights
JEL Classification: K33
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation