美国国家豁免法中“恐怖主义例外”的立法及司法实践评析

The “Terrorism Exception” in the US Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act: Legislation and Judicial Practice

美国在其《外国主权豁免法》中创设了一项新的国家豁免——"恐怖主义例外",允许恐怖主义受害者及其家属在美国联邦法院直接起诉"恐怖主义资助国"以获得民事赔偿。在国内法层面,该项国家豁免例外为恐怖主义受害者及其家属提供了追究"恐怖主义资助国"责任的法律途径;在国际法层面,其作为一国的反恐单边措施,势必影响其他国家的国家行为和责任承担,且可能因当前打击国际恐怖主义的需求而被更多的国家认可和效法,值得加以关注。

The ＂terrorism exception＂ recently established in the Foreign Sovereign Im- munities Act indicates a significant move taken by the U. S. against the jurisdictional immunities of states. The exception allows individuals to sue ＂terrorism-sponsoring states＂ for the damages they suffered from terrorism. It is a unilateral measure that affects actions and obligations of oth- er states, and could be widely accepted as a necessary measure against terrorism. This article explains the historical background and legislative purposes of the ＂terrorism-exception＂, analy- zes its pros and cons in practice as well as its enforceability under international law, and addres- ses its implications for the corresponding rule-making in China.