Holding Private Military Contractors Accountable for Human Rights Violations: The Alien Torts Claims Acts and the Quest for Regulation

Abstract

This paper, written for our International Human Rights Law class offered by the Peace Studies Department, represents two semesters of learning and research with an interdisciplinary approach to the law. We began learning about the U.S.' military industrial complex and the current challenges in holding corporations accountable for human rights violations during the fall semester of Human Rights (PCE 251)and decided to inquire more deeply into the issues in this course. The focus of our research was the Alien Torts Claims Act and its recent revival as a tool for holding military contractors responsible for violations of human rights. We sought not only to critique the existing system for addressing human rights violations perpetrated by military contractors, but also to propose changes that would transcend the traditional divisions between national and international legal systems. While we have no certain answers, we now have a much clearer picture of the current state of law pertaining to contractors and the many possibilities that exist for increasing accountability in the future. We are pleased that this paper was chosen for inclusion in the Verge, and remain grateful to each other and everyone who supported and encouraged us in the research and writing process.