US’ 9/11 bill criticised by prominent institutions

The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), adopted by the US Congress last week, has been criticised by two prominent institutions.

The bill, which allows American citizens to pursue civil claims against a foreign state for injuries, death, or damages from an act of international terrorism, has been criticised by prominent US think tank Wilson Centre and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The think tank, which is named after the former US President Woodrow Wilson, has described the bill as “fashionable vilification” of the kingdom that comes with great risks. An article on their website denounced the bill, stressing that “this hardly seems the moment for America to be acting to discredit the most important Arab and Muslim country enlisted in the US-led coalition of 67-nations fighting to put an end to ISIS [Daesh].”

Commenting on the bill’s impact, the Wilson Centre said: “The erosion of sovereign immunity will have a negative impact on all nations, including the United States.”

On their part, OIC, which is the largest pan Islamic body said: “This law is a violation of the principle of immunity of sovereign states, which is a basic and established legal principle in international relations and international law.”

In their statement the OIC also said that “this unilateral law is an invitation to serious chaos in international relations,” before adding that the Congress move upsets a firm and established international legal order and diminishes the integrity of the legal system as it opens the door for other states to pass similar laws in protection of their rights.

Both organisations hoped that the US Congress would reconsider the bill.