1、CRS Legal Sidebar Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Legal SidebarLegal Sidebari i Can the United States Sue China over COVID-19 in an International Court? July 24, 2020 Some Members of Congress assert that China should bear international legal responsibility for its alleged role in fai
2、ling to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in its early weeks. Proposed options to impose accountability include initiating investigations of China, giving the President authority to impose COVID-19-related sanctions, reforming World Health Organization (WHO) regulations, and narrowing Chinas foreign sov
3、ereign immunity so that it could face litigation in U.S. courts. In addition to these proposals, some Members of Congress have urged the United States to sue China in an international forum for damages arising from COVID-19s spread. Of the advocates for suit in an international court, some contend t
4、hat China bears legal responsibility because it violated the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR (2005) promulgated by the World Health Assembly, WHOs governing body. Chinas critics often focus on Articles 6 and 7 of IHR (2005), which require WHO member countries to notify and share informati
