the case that changed the face of human rights
Documents the murder case of Joelito Filartiga, a Paraguay boy who was kidnapped, tortured, and killed by the Paraguayan police. Describes how Joelito's father, Dr. Joel Filartiga, pursued justice and worked with the United States government to arrest and try the policeman responsible for his son's death, who was hiding in America. Explains the Alien Tort Claims Act of 1789, which allows U.S. courts to try international cases on behalf of foreign human rights.