<P> The Alien Tort Statute (28 U.S.C. § 1350; ATS), also called the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA), is a section of the United States Code that reads: "The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States ." Since 1980, courts have interpreted this statute to allow foreign citizens to seek remedies in U.S. courts for human - rights violations for conduct committed outside the United States . </P> <P> The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States . </P>

What is the purpose of the alien tort claims act
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