What does international human rights law cover?

It encompasses a body of international treaties, customary international law, and principles that aim to protect fundamental rights and freedoms globally. Key examples include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These instruments set global standards for state conduct towards individuals.

How does international law affect Massachusetts residents?

While international law primarily binds nations, U.S. treaty obligations can inform the interpretation or development of domestic law and policy. For instance, U.S. laws against human trafficking reflect international norms. Massachusetts residents involved in international business, supply chains, or travel may encounter situations where international human rights standards are relevant (e.g., labor standards, ethical sourcing).

Can individuals enforce international human rights in U.S. courts?

Generally, direct enforcement by individuals is difficult. International treaties are usually not directly enforceable in U.S. courts unless they are deemed self-executing or have been specifically implemented into U.S. law by Congress. Some claims involving severe violations like torture or extrajudicial killing committed abroad might potentially be brought under specific federal statutes like the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) or the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA), but recent Supreme Court rulings have significantly narrowed the scope and applicability of the ATS, especially against corporations and for conduct outside the U.S.

How does global law relate to local issues?

Global frameworks and standards can influence local policies and practices, even without direct legal enforceability. Examples include local climate action plans referencing international targets, municipal ordinances related to fair labor practices, or corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies voluntarily adopting international human rights principles for their operations and supply chains.

Boston Human Rights Attorneys | Graydon Sommer PLLC

Human Rights & International Law

We represent survivors of war crimes, genocide, and systemic human rights abuses.

40M

Since 1941, approximately 40 million people have been killed in genocides and politicides, including nearly 6 million Jewish during the Holocaust and nearly 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. 1

117M

By the end of 2023, an estimated 117.3 million people globally were forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, and violence. This represents an 8% increase over the previous year. 2

64,000+

Since October 7, 2023, over 64,000 Palestinians and approximately 1,980 Israelis have been killed. Nearly 1.9 million Gazans, over 90% of the population, have been displaced, and around 78% of buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.3

$10T+

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would likely cause tens of thousands of deaths, displace millions, erase over $10 trillion from global markets, disrupt global supply chains, and cripple approximately 92% of advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

Globally, over 40 million people are trapped in modern slavery, including 25 million in forced labor and an estimated 152 million children subjected to child labor. 6

We are dedicated to advancing justice on a global scale, advocating for accountability in cases of war crimes, genocide, and systemic human rights violations. Our work involves supporting victims, addressing corporate and governmental accountability, and advocating for the protection of human dignity under international law.

Our pursuit of justice can encompass cases like that of Lafarge S.A., a corporation that admitted to aiding ISIS with nearly $6 million, consequently generating $70.3 million in revenue and incurring a $778 million penalty. 5 We are dedicated to holding such corporations accountable for their support of terrorist organizations.

Overview

In a world shaped by mass atrocities, we offer legal advocacy for victims of war crimes, and other human rights abuses. Our efforts focus on navigating international legal frameworks to pursue accountability and promote the enforcement of human rights protections globally. We believe in a world where human rights are protected and no one is above the law.

The International Criminal Court has over 30 cases addressing war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity as of 2023.7

War Crimes

Quantifying war crimes victims globally is a complex task due to the fluid nature of conflicts and the diverse interpretations of war crimes. Victims are often in areas beset by ongoing warfare, governance instability, or targeted oppression, making accurate data collection challenging. Factors such as limited access to conflict zones and the propensity for these crimes to go unreported further complicate this task. Organizations like the United Nations, the Red Cross, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International are dedicated to detailing the ramifications of war crimes on civilians.

An estimated 50 million people were living each day in modern slavery in 2021, an increase of 10 million people since 2016.8

Victims' Rights

Victims of war crimes, genocide, and systemic human rights violations have rights recognized under international law, including:

Right to Justice: Access to legal systems that address war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Right to be Heard: Personal narratives and experiences deserve to be heard as a critical part of the justice process.
Right to Accountability: Seek legal consequences for those responsible for human rights abuses.
Right to Reparations: The opportunity to pursue compensation or restitution for harms suffered.

Victims may have the right to reparations in the form of financial compensation for their suffering and to restitution for the restoration of property and rights lost.

Lawyers' Role

Examples of how we can help clients:

International Advocacy: Handle complex cases under public international law, including state disputes and enforcement of global legal standards.
Rights Defense: Protect individual and group rights under international and comparative human rights law through strategic litigation.
Criminal Prosecution: Pursue justice in international criminal law cases, targeting genocide, war crimes, and other grave offenses.
Corporate Accountability: Handle cases involving corporate accountability for human rights abuses and violations.

How We Can Help

International Advocacy and Rights Protection

Represent individuals and groups in complex state disputes involving systemic violations of freedom, equality, and justice.

Criminal and Corporate Accountability

Pursue accountability for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, including corporate complicity in forced labor, environmental harm, and terrorism financing.

Victim Representation

Represent victims of mass atrocities, including genocide and sexual violence, in pursuing justice, redress, and recognition.

Strategic Legal Advising

Counsel governments, organizations, and businesses on human rights challenges and compliance with international obligations.

Technology, Climate, and Emerging Challenges

Advocate for victims of tech-related abuses including mass surveillance, autonomous weapons, and cyberattacks, as well as climate-driven displacement and resource exploitation.

Cultural Heritage and Indigenous Rights

Support communities seeking redress for destruction or theft of cultural heritage, and Indigenous peoples facing land dispossession and cultural erasure.

Gender Equality and Women’s Rights

Address systemic gender discrimination and violence against women, including abuses during armed conflict.

Transitional Justice

Advise post-conflict communities and governments on truth and reconciliation processes, reparations programs, and prosecution mechanisms.

Business and Human Rights Compliance

Counsel corporations on supply chain risks, labor rights, and the human rights impact of global operations.

Refugee and Asylum Support

Guide individuals fleeing occupation, armed conflict, or ethnic cleansing through the U.S. asylum process.

Universal Jurisdiction Prosecutions

Pursue perpetrators of war crimes and genocide who find safe haven abroad through international tribunals and domestic courts.

Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery Cases

Represent survivors of forced labor, sex trafficking, and child exploitation against complicit individuals, companies, and governments.

Sanctions & Global Accountability

Represent activists and NGOs petitioning for Magnitsky-style sanctions on human rights abusers.

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