In the past decade, companies have become increasingly aware of their corporate, social and human responsibilities. However, with the exception of a few isolated cases, access to justice has barely improved, particularly for or violations of socio-economic rights. In most cases of human rights violations by corporations the victims remain without the right to effective judicial protection. International law does not currently allow for the possibility of enforcing corporate responsibility for human rights, leaving victims to attempt to seek recourse in often inefficient and reluctant domestic courts. This book asks how should transnational and other corporations most effectively respect and protect human rights without compromising their primary business objectives? The book identifies and analyses the theoretical foundations and the existing scope and nature of corporate accountability arising from economic and social rights at the international and national levels. Through careful analysis Jernej Letnar Cernic exposes the stark reality of the need for greater clarity in the socio-economic obligations and accountability of corporations. The book goes on to put forward a normative framework for corporate accountability for socio-economic rights in national legal orders building on existing mechanisms.
Foreword;
Chapter 1 - Introduction: Business, Accountability and Socio-Economic Rights;
Chapter 2 - Historical Chapter;
Chapter 3 - Globalization, Investment and the Socio-Economic Environment;
Chapter 4 - Business, Socio-Economic Rights and Good Practices;
Chapter 5 - Corporate Human Rights Obligations Under Socio-Economic Rights
Chapter 6 - Corporate Human Rights Obligations Under Specific Socio-Economic Rights;
Chapter 7 - Access to Justice for Victims of Socio-Economic Violation;
Chapter 8 - Corporate Accountability concerning Socio-Economic Rights in Cambodia;
Chapter 9 - Corporate Accountability concerning Socio-Economic Rights in China;
Chapter 10 - Corporate Accountability concerning Socio-Economic Rights in Colombia;
Chapter 11 - Conclusions and Recommendations;
Index