Historic Cases

Since 1966, CCR has pioneered daring and innovative legal strategies in pursuit of its mission to advance and protect the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our work began on behalf of civil rights activists, and since then CCR has lent its expertise and support to virtually every popular progressive movement.

Many of the Center’s historic victories have established major legal precedents – from Filártiga v. Peña-Irala, which opened U.S. courts for victims of serious human rights violations from anywhere in the world to Rasul v. Bush, which established the right of Guantánamo detainees to challenge their detention.

Orian et al. v. FIDH et al.

A lawsuit brought to chill FIDH's public statements on an issue of public interest. California-based Global Horizons, Inc. and its president, Mordechai Orian, sued FIDH and others for libel and...
Updated: January 8, 2020

Wiwa et al v. Royal Dutch Petroleum et al.

Three lawsuits filed on behalf of relatives of murdered activists who were fighting for human rights and environmental justice in Nigeria. The lawsuits are brought against the Royal Dutch Petroleum...
Updated: January 8, 2020

Corrie et al. v. Caterpillar

Corrie v. Caterpillar was a federal lawsuit filed against Illinois-based Caterpillar, Inc. on behalf of the parents of Rachel Corrie and four Palestinian families whose relatives were killed or...
Updated: November 19, 2018

Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. (Amicus)

In two amicus briefs to the Supreme Court in 2011 and 2012, CCR argues that, reflecting general principles of international law, corporations can be held liable in U.S. courts for human rights...
Updated: March 29, 2018

Walton v. NYSDOCS

A class action lawsuit that challenged New York State’s monopoly telephone contract with MCI/Verizon that forced family members and friends of prisoners to pay exorbitant collect calling rates to...
Updated: June 27, 2011

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