Amnesty International USA

[A] WHEREAS, in spite of myriad treaties and conventions created to protect human rights, massive levels of human rights violations continue to exist;

[B] WHEREAS individuals who are victims of human rights abuse have little – if any – means or recourse to protect their own rights;

[C] WHEREAS states that violate international human rights law have been granted sovereign immunity protection when sued for their human rights violations in the domestic courts of other countries;

[D] WHEREAS countries that are state parties to international human rights treaties/conventions have obligated themselves – knowingly, willingly and purposely -- to work towards the protection of human rights;

[E] WHEREAS Amnesty International advocates that countries that are party to international human rights conventions will no longer grant sovereign immunity protection to states for violations of international human rights standards. If, however, sovereign immunity protection is provided, this act may itself constitute a violation of international human rights.

[F] THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Amnesty International publicize its position on sovereign immunity and raise this issue within the relevant international human rights mechanisms and individual states.