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Article

11 Aug 2016

Author:
Richard L. Herz, Marco Simmons & Michelle Harrison, Earthrights International

Appeal by fisherman in Indian coal-fired plant lawsuit argues that Intl. Finance Corp. is not entitled to absolute immunity

"Opening Brief of Plaintiffs-Appellants", 9 Aug 2016

...The IOIA entitles the IFC only to “the same immunity from suit...as is enjoyed by foreign governments...Foreign governments, of course, enjoy only restrictive immunity pursuant to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (FSIA). But Atkinson held that 1) at the time of the IOIA’s enactment in 1945, foreign sovereign immunity was automatically absolute, and 2) the phrase “as is enjoyed” permanently enshrined immunity as of 1945...Those conclusions conflict with the Supreme Court’s subsequent decisions, and removing either one is enough to undermine Atkinson’s ultimate holding of absolute immunity...Plaintiffs sued the IFC because an IFC - financed project, the Tata Mundra Ultra Mega coal-fired power plant (“the Plant” or “the Project”), has destroyed their meagre livelihoods and threatens their health...

Part of the following timelines

Indian communities file lawsuit in US court against Intl. Finance Corp. over harm from coal-fired plant

Intl. Finance Corp. lawsuit (re financing of coal-fired plant in India)