Intl. investment agreements & policy
The global framework of international investment agreements and national investment policies can limit the protection of human rights. International organizations such as UNCTAD and the South Centre, NGOs, and academics have made proposals to ensure that these agreements and policies do not limit human rights protections, and can even provide greater protection of the rights of those affected by foreign investment. Some countries have developed policies in this direction and adopted some of these recommendations, in some cases renegotiating their international investment agreements.
To address these issues, this section of our site includes materials on the human rights impacts of:
- International investment agreements and policy – both bilateral and multilateral, and including investor protection provisions in trade agreements
- National policies on foreign investment, including export processing and special economic zones
Related stories and components
ASEAN CSOs urge AICHR to develop code of conduct for constructive dialogues on regional action plans on business & human rights
Author: Various CSOs
"Oral Statement from CSOs During the AICHR Interregional Dialogue: Sharing Good Practices on Business and Human Rights, 04-06 June 2018...
Commentary: Investor-to-state dispute settlement procedure needs a substantive overhaul
Author: Bart-Jaap Verbeek, SOMO
Between 23 and 27 April 2018, members of Working Group III of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) came together in New York to discuss a possible reform of the investor-to-state dispute settlement procedure (ISDS). At...
- Related in-depth areas: Latest news on ISDS
Report of UNCITRAL Working Group presents need for ISDS reform
Author: Christopher Crosby, Law360
"Countries say inconsistency in ISDS needs reform", 4 May 2018...
Cambodia: Letter of concern by brands to Prime Minister regarding freedom of association & human rights defenders
Author: Rick Helfenbein - President and CEO, American Apparel & Footwear Association, Christian Ewert - Director General, amfori – Trade with Purpose, Peter McAllister - Executive Director, Ethical Trading Initiative, Sharon Waxman - President and CEO, Fair Labor Association, Alexander Kohnstamm - Director, Fair Wear Foundation & Jane Hwang - President and CEO, Social Accountability International
On behalf of international garment, footwear, and travel goods brands and retailers, we write to urge your government to immediately implement its October 16, 2017 commitments... Further, we write to express our growing concern over recent...
European Court of Justice ruling finds the ISDS system incompatible with EU law
Author: Niall Sargent, The Green News
"ECJ ruling may spell the end for 200 investment deals between EU Members", March 7th 2018...
- Related in-depth areas: Latest Legal News
Author: L'Opinion
Une décision de la Cour de Justice de l’Union Européenne a remis en cause la compatibilité entre les tribunaux arbitraux privés et le droit de l’Union. S’il fait jurisprudence, cet arrêt pourrait remettre en cause une partie du traité de libre-échange...
Author: Alexandra Endres, ZEIT Online
"Big Oil vor Gericht", 29 Jan 2018...
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