Supreme Court Likely to Side With Cisco Over Human Rights Suit

The US Supreme Court appeared likely to back Cisco Systems Inc.’s push to toss claims it was complicit in China’s torture of members of a religious minority, further narrowing the path for human rights lawsuits against corporations over conduct abroad.

Hearing arguments on Tuesday, the justices grappled with whether the Alien Tort Statute applies to Cisco’s alleged role in developing a surveillance system that facilitated China’s violent crackdown against Falun Gong adherents.

Most of the justices appeared skeptical that the 1789 statute and Supreme Court precedent allowed for private legal actions accusing US corporations of aiding-and-abetting torture.

While the court hasn’t closed the door to relief under the law, the justices have sharply curbed the scope of lawsuits it will entertain. Justice Neil Gorsuch questioned whether the court was creating a “mousetrap” for litigants to pursue new types of claims.

“Are we masquerading as to where the real responsibility and…