In re South African Apartheid Litigation - Opinion and Order
This case arises out of allegations that various corporations aided and abetted violations of customary international law committed by the South African apartheid regime. The remaining plaintiffs are members of two putative classes of black South Africans who were victims of apartheid-era violence and discrimination. Plaintiffs seek relief under the Alien Tort Statute (“ATS”), which confers federal jurisdiction over “any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States.” 1 The remaining defendants…Ford…and…IBM…are American corporations accused of aiding and abetting violations of the ATS by manufacturing military vehicles and computers for South African security forces. Plaintiffs move for leave to amend their complaints. For the following reasons, plaintiffs’ motion is DENIED.