“Landmark Human Rights Law Passed in California”, 6 Oct 2015

California Governor Jerry Brown signed the first comprehensive human rights accountability bill at the State level into law this week…[The bill] represents a major step forward for human rights claims brought at the state level.  California will be the first state to offer survivors of human rights abuses an extended period to file their claims in court…“Survivors often emerge from perilous circumstances, possess little money or resources, and face extraordinary legal burdens in building their cases.  The current two year period is much too short to overcome these unique hurdles,” said Marco Simons, General Counsel, EarthRights International…The law also provides an award of attorneys’ fees for victims who prove their claims…While a significant step forward, the law still allows the possibility that California would become a safe haven for perpetrators of human rights abuses. “If someone commits torture outside California, and then moves into the state, they will not face the longer statute of limitations,” noted Simons…