The human right to water is nowadays more broadly recognised, mainly due to the essential societal function that this resource plays; likewise, because of the present water scarcity is generating conflicts between its different uses. Thus, this right aims at protecting human beings by guaranteeing access to clean water that is essential to satisfy vital human needs. Similarly, access to clean water is an important element to guarantee other rights including the right to life and health. The recognition of the right to water is mainly achieved in two ways: as a new and independent right and as a subordinate or derivative right. Concerning the latter, the right to water can emanate from civil and political rights, such as the right to life; or can be derived from economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to health, the right to an adequate standard of living, and the right to housing. This contribution explores the position of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding the right to water, and analyses whether the Court has recognised the right to water and, if so, in which manner.
The human right to water is nowadays more broadly recognised, mainly due to the essential societal function that this resource plays; likewise, because of the present water scarcity is generating conflicts between its different uses. Thus, this right aims at protecting human beings by guaranteeing access to clean water that is essential to satisfy vital human needs. Similarly, access to clean water is an important element to guarantee other rights including the right to life and health. The recognition of the right to water is mainly achieved in two ways: as a new and independent right and as a subordinate or derivative right. Concerning the latter, the right to water can emanate from civil and political rights, such as the right to life; or can be derived from economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to health, the right to an adequate standard of living, and the right to housing. This contribution explores the position of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding the right to water, and analyses whether the Court has recognised the right to water and, if so, in which manner.
La globalización permeó las fronteras artificiales existentes entre la economía y la sociedad alrededor del mundo. Las actividades empresariales en este ambiente globalizado ha servido como catalizador de las violaciones de derechos humanos como consecuencia de la ausencia de la protección institucional algunas empresas han explotado los vacíos jurídicos y la falta de protección de los derechos humanos. Al respecto, para lograr un cambio paradigmático requiere un fuerte énfasis en los derechos y las obligaciones de las empresas. Este artículo presenta un análisis crítico de las obligaciones de las empresas en material de derechos humanos frente a la falta de cláusulas de estabilización en los contratos de inversión extranjera. En primer lugar, estas cláusulas son examinadas en relación con la responsabilidad en las obligaciones corporativas con relación a los derechos humanos fundamentales. De acuerdo con lo anterior, se analizan las dimensiones sustantivas y procesales de las cláusulas de estabilización. En segundo lugar, apelando a los ejemplos concretos del Acuerdo para el desarrollo de la Minería entre Mittal Steel y el Gobierno de Liberia, así como el proyecto del Oleoducto de Baku‐Tblisi‐Ceyhan como casos de análisis, este artículo busca la aplicación de las cláusulas de estabilidad en las inversiones extranjeras con relación a la protección de los derechos humanos por parte de los Estados y de las empresas. En tercer lugar, se propone una modificación a la forma como se introduce la cláusula relativa a los derechos humanos. En este orden de ideas, los derechos humanos de los inversionistas, específicamente de las empresas, deben ser incluidos en los acuerdos de inversión extranjera. ; Globalisation has blurred the artificial borders that exist between economies and societies around the world. The activities of corporations in this globalised environment have often served as the catalyst for human rights violations; due to the lack of institutional protection, some corporations are able to exploit regulatory lacunae and the lack of human rights protection. It appears that the paradigmatic change demands an equal emphasis of rights and obligations of corporations. This article discusses and critically analyses corporate human rights obligations and the lack thereof under stabilization clauses in foreign investment contracts. First, stabilization clauses in foreign investment agreements are examined in relation to corporate obligations and responsibility for fundamental human rights. In doing so the substantive and procedural dimension of stabilization clauses is analysed. Second, using the concrete examples of the Mineral Development Agreement between Mittal Steel and the Government of Liberia Mittal Steel Agreement and of the Baku‐Tblisi‐Ceyhan Pipeline Project as case studies, this article considers an application of stabilization clauses in foreign investment contracts in relation to the fundamental human rights obligation of states and of corporations. Third, a proposal for reform in the form of a fundamental human rights clause is introduced. To be clear, the argument here is that the fundamental human rights obligations of investors, particularly of corporations, must be included in foreign investment agreements.
Globalisation has blurred the artificial borders that exist between economies and societies around the world. The activities of corporations in this globalised environment have often served as the catalyst for human rights violations; due to the lack of institutional protection, some corporations are able to exploit regulatory lacunae and the lack of human rights protection. It appears that the paradigmatic change demands an equal emphasis of rights and obligations of corporations. This article discusses and critically analyses corporate human rights obligations and the lack thereof under stabilization clauses in foreign investment contracts. First, stabilization clauses in foreign investment agreements are examined in relation to corporate obligations and responsibility for fundamental human rights. In doing so the substantive and procedural dimension of stabilization clauses is analysed. Second, using the concrete examples of the Mineral Development Agreement between Mittal Steel and the Government of Liberia Mittal Steel Agreement and of the Baku‐Tblisi‐Ceyhan Pipeline Project as case studies, this article considers an application of stabilization clauses in foreign investment contracts in relation to the fundamental human rights obligation of states and of corporations. Third, a proposal for reform in the form of a fundamental human rights clause is introduced. To be clear, the argument here is that the fundamental human rights obligations of investors, particularly of corporations, must be included in foreign investment agreements. ; La globalización permeó las fronteras artificiales existentes entre la economía y la sociedad alrededor del mundo. Las actividades empresariales en este ambiente globalizado ha servido como catalizador de las violaciones de derechos humanos como consecuencia de la ausencia de la protección institucional algunas empresas han explotado los vacíos jurídicos y la falta de protección de los derechos humanos. Al respecto, para lograr un cambio paradigmático requiere un fuerte énfasis en los derechos y las obligaciones de las empresas. Este artículo presenta un análisis crítico de las obligaciones de las empresas en material de derechos humanos frente a la falta de cláusulas de estabilización en los contratos de inversión extranjera. En primer lugar, estas cláusulas son examinadas en relación con la responsabilidad en las obligaciones corporativas con relación a los derechos humanos fundamentales. De acuerdo con lo anterior, se analizan las dimensiones sustantivas y procesales de las cláusulas de estabilización. En segundo lugar, apelando a los ejemplos concretos del Acuerdo para el desarrollo de la Minería entre Mittal Steel y el Gobierno de Liberia, así como el proyecto del Oleoducto de Baku‐Tblisi‐Ceyhan como casos de análisis, este artículo busca la aplicación de las cláusulas de estabilidad en las inversiones extranjeras con relación a la protección de los derechos humanos por parte de los Estados y de las empresas. En tercer lugar, se propone una modificación a la forma como se introduce la cláusula relativa a los derechos humanos. En este orden de ideas, los derechos humanos de los inversionistas, específicamente de las empresas, deben ser incluidos en los acuerdos de inversión extranjera.
Freedom of expression and association are essentials to guarantee the opening of the democratic system, but they can also be exercised to undermine its foundations. For this reason, the Council of Europe was determined to establish a system capable of dealing with anti-democratic threats. This spirit is reflected in the European Convention on Human Rights. The European Court of Human Rights, when evaluating whether a particular political agenda can take part in the democratic process, has established a dual requirement: that the means used to implement it are pacific and that the political project advocated is democratic. Therefore, the democratic defence of an anti-democratic project can be legitimately excluded. According to it, the Court has formulated in Refah Partisi v. Turkey a doctrine of preventive defence of democracy that raises complex and sensitive questions.
AbstractHousing rights are now one of the most fundamental social and economic human rights. It is therefore the duty of every country to implement such rights for its own citizens, irrespective of its economicdevelopment, political situation, or social conditions. Possession of appropriate living conditions determines, in fact, the possibility of using other, more advanced human rights (e.g. the right to health, right to development, right to peace, or access to culture). Realization of the right to adequate housing is increasingly problematic for developed countries. According to the United Nations, there areover 100 million homeless people worldwide and more than 1 billion inadequately housed. Poland is an example of a country particularly afflicted by housing problems after the Second World War.Experiences of Polish democratic transformation after 1989, therefore, provide interesting lessons (and warnings) for all countries wishing to deal with the social problems arising from housing difficulties.Keywords: right to adequate housing, human rights, housing rights, social transformation, transition, economic and social human rights, social issues, Poland, United Nations, communism.ResumenEl derecho a la vivienda es uno de los derechos humanos sociales y económicos más elementales. Por lo tanto, es un deber de todos los países implementar esos derechos para susciudadanos y ciudadanas, independependientmente de su desarrollo económico, situación política, o condiciones sociales. La posesión de adecuadas condiciones de vida determinala posibilidad de utilizar otros derechos humanos más avanzados (por ejemplo, derecho a la salud, derecho al desarrollo, derecho a la paz, acceso a la cultura). La realizacióndel derecho a una vivienda adecuada es cada vez más problemática para los países desarrollados. Según las Naciones Unidas, hay más de 100 millones de personas sin hogar en todo el mundo y más de 1000 millones alojadas en viviendas inadecuadas. Polonia es ejemplo de un país particularmente afectado por los problemas de vivienda después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Experiencias de la transformación democrática de Polonia después de 1989 ofrecen lecciones interesantes (y advertencias) para todos los países que deseen hacer frente a los problemas sociales derivados de las dificultades de vivienda.Palabras clave: derecho a la vivienda, derechos humanos, transformación social, transición, derechos económicos y sociales, cuestiones sociales, Polonia, Naciones Unidas, comunismo.
AbstractHousing rights are now one of the most fundamental social and economic human rights. It is therefore the duty of every country to implement such rights for its own citizens, irrespective of its economicdevelopment, political situation, or social conditions. Possession of appropriate living conditions determines, in fact, the possibility of using other, more advanced human rights (e.g. the right to health, right to development, right to peace, or access to culture). Realization of the right to adequate housing is increasingly problematic for developed countries. According to the United Nations, there areover 100 million homeless people worldwide and more than 1 billion inadequately housed. Poland is an example of a country particularly afflicted by housing problems after the Second World War.Experiences of Polish democratic transformation after 1989, therefore, provide interesting lessons (and warnings) for all countries wishing to deal with the social problems arising from housing difficulties.Keywords: right to adequate housing, human rights, housing rights, social transformation, transition, economic and social human rights, social issues, Poland, United Nations, communism.ResumenEl derecho a la vivienda es uno de los derechos humanos sociales y económicos más elementales. Por lo tanto, es un deber de todos los países implementar esos derechos para susciudadanos y ciudadanas, independependientmente de su desarrollo económico, situación política, o condiciones sociales. La posesión de adecuadas condiciones de vida determinala posibilidad de utilizar otros derechos humanos más avanzados (por ejemplo, derecho a la salud, derecho al desarrollo, derecho a la paz, acceso a la cultura). La realizacióndel derecho a una vivienda adecuada es cada vez más problemática para los países desarrollados. Según las Naciones Unidas, hay más de 100 millones de personas sin hogar en todo el mundo y más de 1000 millones alojadas en viviendas inadecuadas. Polonia es ejemplo de un país particularmente afectado por los problemas de vivienda después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Experiencias de la transformación democrática de Polonia después de 1989 ofrecen lecciones interesantes (y advertencias) para todos los países que deseen hacer frente a los problemas sociales derivados de las dificultades de vivienda.Palabras clave: derecho a la vivienda, derechos humanos, transformación social, transición, derechos económicos y sociales, cuestiones sociales, Polonia, Naciones Unidas, comunismo.
Summary The legitimacy of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has been called into question both by doctrine and by some states under its jurisdiction. As part of the wider debate on the legitimacy of courts and international law, responses are sought to these criticisms from this legal system, in so far as the Court is a party to it, and to the foundations of the legal binding nature of international law, taking into account both the best philosophical proposals and the reality of current international law. It is concluded that the work of the IDH Court is a feature of contemporary international human rights law which not only enjoys legitimacy in itself, but is a source of legitimacy for international law as a whole. ; Resumen La legitimidad de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos ha sido cuestionada tanto por la doctrina como por algunos Estados sometidos a su jurisdicción. Dentro del debate más amplio sobre la legitimidad de los tribunales y el Derecho internacional, se buscan respuestas a dichas críticas desde este ordenamiento jurídico, en la medida en que la Corte es un tribunal parte del mismo, y en los fundamentos de la obligatoriedad jurídica del Derecho internacional, atendiendo tanto a las mejores propuestas filosóficas como a la realidad del Derecho internacional actual. Se concluye que la labor de la Corte IDH es característica del Derecho internacional contemporáneo de los derechos humanos que no solo goza de legitimidad en sí mismo, sino que es fuente de legitimidad del Derecho internacional en su conjunto.
The article examines international experience in the field of judicial protection of land rights and settlement of land disputes. The author analyzes the legal structure of a series of countries of the world and the practice of the specialized judicial agencies. The positive experience of the work of land courts, achieved by different States, is summarized. The analysis of the jurisdiction of land and environmental courts of Australia, Scotland, Sweden, the USA, the Dominican Republic is conducted. On the basis of the conducted research the author gives reasons for a set of proposals concerning the organization of work of the specialized land courts in the Russian Federation.
All companies, regardless of the sector they belong to, can positively or negatively impact human rights. Governments are increasingly aware of the benefits that free trade brings their nations, which has led them to do whatever is necessaryto attract foreign investment, even if it means to act against the interests of their own people. The power relationship between corporations and states generates a tension derived from their nature: while the objective of states is the welfare ofits members, the purpose of corporations is profit. It is in the crack generated by the collision of powers and purposes between these two actors, that this article is intended to raise the discussion on the need to establish an international framework for corporate liability for human rights violations. To achieve its goal, the article will analyze the opportunities and obstacles raised by the exercise of extraterritorial jurisdiction in the American context and its relationship with the developments in the business and human rights field.
All companies, regardless of the sector they belong to, can positively or negatively impact human rights. Governments are increasingly aware of the benefits that free trade brings their nations, which has led them to do whatever is necessaryto attract foreign investment, even if it means to act against the interests of their own people. The power relationship between corporations and states generates a tension derived from their nature: while the objective of states is the welfare ofits members, the purpose of corporations is profit. It is in the crack generated by the collision of powers and purposes between these two actors, that this article is intended to raise the discussion on the need to establish an international framework for corporate liability for human rights violations. To achieve its goal, the article will analyze the opportunities and obstacles raised by the exercise of extraterritorial jurisdiction in the American context and its relationship with the developments in the business and human rights field.
Political rights are themselves one of the main cores of human rights, since they only find fertile soil in a democracy. Having this in mind, since many decades the idea of political rights, beyond active suffrage, has gained ground in the countries, which has led to a great contribution by international human rights documents and the jurisprudence of international courts, as the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In this sense, this article reviews this set of rights from its normative perspective in the international arena, which is complemented by the analysis of decisions issued by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. To achieve this, it made a documentary and jurisprudential review on the topic. ; Los derechos políticos son en sí uno de los pilares centrales de los derechos humanos, ya que solo encuentran suelo fértil en una democracia. Ante esto, hace muchas décadas que la idea de derechos políticos, más allá del sufragio activo, ha ganado terreno en los países, lo que ha derivado en una gran contribución por parte de los documentos internacionales de derechos humanos y de la jurisprudencia de cortes internacionales, como es el caso de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. En este sentido, este artículo revisa este conjunto de derechos desde su perspectiva normativa en el ámbito internacional, lo que se complementa con el análisis de decisiones dictadas por la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. Para lograrlo, se hizo una revisión documental y jurisprudencial sobre el tema.
La dignidad humana es un valor central en todas las tradiciones jurídicas. También desempeña una función primordial en los sistemas universales, regionales y nacionales de protección de los derechos humanos. En este trabajo se recupera el tratamiento clásico kantiano de la dignidad y se ofrece una lectura contemporánea que nos ayuda a afrontar problemas actuales. La jurisprudencia de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos utiliza la idea de la dignidad humana para justificar muchas de sus decisiones. Las democracias latinoamericanas, a pesar de algunas fragilidades heredadas de su reciente historia convulsa, muestran la fuerza e importancia que tiene la dignidad para la garantía de los derechos humanos. ; Human dignity is a central value in all legal traditions. It also plays an essential role in the universal and regional protection of human rights. This paper recovers Kantian classic treatment of dignity and offers a contemporary reading that will help us to deal with current problems. The jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights uses the idea of human dignity to justify many of its decisions. The Latin American democracies, in spite of some fragilities inherited from their recent turbulent history, show strength and importance of dignity for guarantee of human rights. ; La realización de este trabajo ha tenido lugar en el marco del proyecto de investigación Jueces en Democracia. La filosofía política de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (DER2016-79805-P, AEI/FEDER, UE), del Grupo de Investigación sobre el Derecho y la Justicia (GIDYJ) de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.
Este artículo presenta un balance de las investigaciones, producidas en las dos últimas décadas, que estudian las relaciones entre archivos, derechos humanos y memoria colectiva. El análisis de los numerosos trabajos que abordan estas tres categorías es clasificado en cuatro enfoques: 1) la concepción del archivo como evidencia de violaciones a los derechos humanos; 2) la revisión crítica del rol que cumplen los documentos, los archivos y los archivistas en la construcción de la memoria colectiva; 3) la justicia social como guía orientadora de la praxis archivística; y 4) los archivos como lugares de memoria y territorios de disputa acerca de los distintos sentidos del pasado.
