Business and Human Rights

One of the fastest growing areas in human rights practice is the effort to achieve full respect for international human rights law and norms by private business. Many national and international instruments have been adopted in this field during the last years.

The course explores the links between human rights violations and corporate activity, and the importance of international standards in strengthening respect and protection of human rights. For this purpose, it will deal with the relationship between international/transnational corporations, international economic law as well as human rights law and corporate social responsibility. It will address existing human rights and investment law treaties as well as soft law instruments, for example the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and Corporate Social Responsibility Requirements. We will cover issues concerning substantive protection standards as well as matters of jurisdiction and dispute resolution in case of human rights violations by corporations.

Teaching will vary between interactive lectures encouraging student participation, traditional lectures and case studies. Student presentations are required.

Requirements: Regular attendance and participation (50%) as well as a presentation (50%).