Victims’ Rights are Human Rights
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Earlier this month NCVLI filed an amicus curiae brief with the United States Supreme Court in support of Victim-Petitioners who are seeking review in the case of John Doe 7, et al. v. Chiquita Brands International. Petitioners are victims of human rights abuses in Colombia who accessed the justice system to seek redress. After years of litigation during which pseudonyms had been used by all of the parties pursuant to a protective order, defendants sought to undo the protective order and to compel the victims to be named publicly. The district court granted the motion and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that decision. These courts did so without requiring any meaningful showing as to why there should be a change, and without due consideration of the victims’ rights and interests. The amicus curiae brief argues that the Court must take the case and clearly announce the high burden a moving party seeking to undo protective orders and reveal victims’ names and other sensitive information to the public must meet. We will keep you posted!
