Success Stories: Legal Action

International Labor Rights Fund
Submitted by: Terry Collingsworth

Issue(s) you addressed?

We brought a lawsuit under the Alien Tort Claims Act against Unocal Corporation for collaborating with the military regime in Burma to construct a natural gas pipeline in Burma using forced/slave labor. The case was designed to set a precedent that U.S. corporations were accountable in U.S. courts for international human rights violations.

What did you do to achieve results? (If applicable, you may want to mention partners here.)

We acted as lead counsel for one set and plaintiffs, while Earth Rights International and Center for Constitutional Rights, along with several private attorneys, represented another group of plaintiffs. We litigated the case for nine years, and ultimately settled under very favorable terms.

Challenges you faced and/or still face?

Litigation against large multinationals is a lengthy and expensive process.

Achievements--current and/or anticipated?

We established the precedent, and now there are numerous new cases against other multinationals for violations of fundamental human rights. Ultimately, corporations will need to effectively police their offshore activities to avoid being sued.