Significant numbers of multinational corporations ("MNCs") from the European Union ("EU") operate in the African, Caribbean and Pacific ("ACP") countries. The ACP countries are attractive operational bases because of the enormous availability of raw materials, low cost of labour, and favourable...

Are economic, social and social, and cultural rights actually taken into account when arbitration or adjudicating bodies (panels or tribunals) seek to solve disputes arising under international economic law (IEL)? The term ‘human rights' is seldom applied in the substantive provisions of trade...

Decisions by arbitral tribunals in investment treaty cases do not have formal precedential status. Yet certain issues recur, and prior decisions at the least provide guidance to later tribunals. The content of the most frequently invoked substantive treaty provisions - the obligations to accord...

How can foreign direct investment contribute to fulfil the right to development and realize some of the UN Sustainable Development Goals? The chapter consider this question by focusing on the role of international law and intergovernmental institutions that deal with three aspects of foreign...

The adoption of the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights represents a watershed moment in the business and human rights movement. Nevertheless, despite its achievements, the work to align business and human rights issues remains.One approach to furthering the work in this area...

International trade and investment agreements are problematic from a participatory rights perspective because they are typically negotiated without adequate opportunities for participation of the public. Such agreements provide for disputes concerning public policy to be decided by private...

The absence of articulations of public goods (beyond investment protection) in most international investment treaties has led to calls for these treaties to be interpreted by reference to other areas of international law, such as international human rights law. Relying upon Article 31(3)(c) of...

The phenomenon of land grab in recent years has drawn the attention of various interests including international organizations, government and civil society. This is because of the speed at which such large scale acquisition are taking place, the nature of most deals and more importantly the...