Supreme Court Blocks Falun Gong Lawsuit Against Cisco

On June 23, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, dismissed the Falun Gong lawsuit against Cisco Systems, holding the Alien Tort Statute does not create liability for aiding and abetting violations. An 8-1 (or 7-2) vote also barred Torture Victim Protection Act claims against two Cisco executives.

ReutersThe HillThe GuardianSupreme Court shuts down lawsuit against Cisco over surveillance claims

The 1789 Alien Tort Statute, revived in the 1980s, permits foreign plaintiffs to sue for overseas human-rights abuses but has been narrowed since 2013, requiring a strong U.S. nexus. Falun Gong, founded in 1992 and banned in 1999, alleges Cisco’s “Golden Shield” system enabled Chinese surveillance and torture.

The Guardian

Barrett wrote that courts cannot create new rights to remedy international law violations, concluding no liability for aiding. Cisco called the claims unfounded and offensive. The Trump administration filed an amicus brief supporting Cisco. Plaintiff attorney Paul Hoffman urged Congress to restore ATS remedies for victims.

Reuters

Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson dissented, warning the decision “closes the door” on future ATS suits and limits accountability for corporations that may facilitate overseas human-rights abuses. They argued the Court should defer to political branches for enforcement.

Supreme Court shuts down lawsuit against Cisco over surveillance claims

• “Courts cannot create new rights of action to remedy violations of international law, so there is necessarily no liability for aiding and abetting such violations,” — Justice Amy Coney Barrett

Reuters

• “In truth this class is a null set. And because courts cannot create new rights of action to remedy violations of internal law, there is necessarily no liability for aiding and abetting such violations,” — Justice Amy Coney Barrett

The Hill

• “so that victims of serious human rights violations at the hands of U.S. corporations may hold those corporations accountable in U.S. courts under the Alien Tort Statute.” — Paul Hoffman, Plaintiff’s Attorney

Reuters

• “the political branches or other international actors” are better suited to enforce norms of international law. — Justice Amy Coney Barrett

New York Times

Reuters reports an 8-1 TVPA vote, while The Hill records a 7-2 count, creating a discrepancy. Cisco maintains the allegations are unfounded; plaintiffs assert the “Golden Shield” system was used to track and torture Falun Gong members.

The Guardian

The ruling reinforces a trend limiting ATS reach, potentially insulating U.S. firms from liability for overseas abuses. Advocates fear reduced recourse for victims; supporters argue it respects separation of powers and avoids judicial creation of foreign-policy remedies.

Supreme Court shuts down lawsuit against Cisco over surveillance claims

Plaintiffs may pursue legislative reform of the ATS, as Hoffman suggested, to restore a pathway for corporate accountability. The Court’s interpretation will likely shape future suits alleging corporate complicity in human-rights violations abroad.

Reuters