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November 28th, 2012

We personally believe that the case involving Kiobel and the Royal Dutch Petroleum company is one that should be looked into further. We think that the Shell Petroleum company should separate itself from the Nigerian based government. If not that, we think they should give proof that they either did or did not give aid to the foreign government. By doing this, the misunderstanding with the riot raid can be cleared up and taken care of.
The Alien Tort Statue says,“the district courts shall have original jurisdiction of 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.” This is saying that the companies are to be held liable for the violations of the law only if they have a treaty with the United States. We, as justices of the court, think that if there is any form of torture, punishment, cruelty, or genocide in a place in the world, that country should obey the laws that have been set forth by its government and the other countries that have power.
The United States does have a treaty with Nigeria. Because of this, our country, according to the Alien Tort Statute, has jurisdiction over the wrongs that were committed in the Kiobel v. the Royal Dutch Petroleum company.
In conclusion, we think that it is our duty to bring aid to the countries that we have agreed to help out. The United States has a job to accomplish.