The 2010 Supreme Court decision, Citizens United, ruled that corporations as sort of metaphysical persons have broad rights under the First Amendment and can directly fund political campaigns. Now the court will have to decide if these metaphysical persons not only have rights but also responsibilities in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum. The outcome will determine whether survivors of human rights violations in foreign countries can bring lawsuits against corporations in U.S. courts.
Amy Goodman of Democracy Now speaks with Baher Azmy, legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights.