Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA)

The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) is a U.S. law that outlines when foreign governments can be sued in American courts. Generally, foreign nations are immune from lawsuits to respect their sovereignty. However, FSIA establishes exceptions, such as when a foreign state engages in commercial activities, causes injury in the U.S., or breaches contracts. The law helps balance respect for foreign governments with the ability of individuals to seek justice when harmed by foreign entities. It ensures that legal actions against foreign states are handled according to specific guidelines, protecting both national interests and individual rights.