On behalf of several human rights organizations, EarthRights International filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in the Romero v. Drummond Company case.  The case involves allegations that Drummond, a U.S.-based coal mining company, conspired with paramilitaries to assassinate members of a trade union at Drummond's mine in Colombia.  The brief deals with the question of "state action," which is an important issue in human rights litigation because some abuses only violate international law if they were committed with the involvement of governmental officials.  The brief explains that private parties (such as paramilitaries or corporations) can be considered state actors in a variety of circumstances involving cooperation with state officials.