This book develops an analytical legal framework for determining the substantive fundamental rights obligations of corporations.

This book offers a new perspective on international law, which was, for centuries, male-dominant and gender-blind. However, this gender blindness has led to many injustices, the failure to recognize certain rights, and to impunity for serious crimes. The book examines the development of gender perspectives in various branches of international law, while also discussing and explaining certain universal standards. However, particular attention is paid to the European human rights system. Accordingly, the book provides detailed explanations of the EU’s external policies in relation to sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Also, there is a special focus on the relevant jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights in relation to gender and sexual orientation, female reproduction, and sexuality. The authors explain not only the importance of an adequate legal framework for combating gender inequality but also the detrimental effects of deeply rooted gender stereotypes and prejudices. Subsequently, the development of particular branches is presented, such as a gender-sensitive approach to the prevention of war crimes, gender perspectives in refugee law, and the evolution of gender-sensitive environmental law. In addition, the problematic situation of discrimination in the workplace is addressed from various perspectives. Many discussions, especially among EU member states, are reserved for the issue of women’s participation in managerial boards, while the growing awareness of gender equality in international trade agreements represents another interesting topic. Lastly, the book offers a historical perspective on the development of international law in the interwar period, with a particular focus on the situation in Yugoslavia. The book critically reconsiders the dominant molds of legal knowledge and presents innovative gender-sensitive and gender-competent insights on a variety of issues in international law, in order to introduce readers to new research topics relevant to gender equality and to stimulate the development of an international legal and institutional framework for achieving greater gender equality in practice. The collection of essays presented here will be of interest to all those working in the field of international law, as well as students and academics looking to broaden and deepen their research on a range of issues in international law from gender perspectives.

Inquisitive and diverse, this innovative Research Handbook explores the ways in which human rights apply to people at work, through national constitutional provisions, judicial decisions and the application of rights expressed in supranational instruments. Key topics include evaluation of the role of the ILO in developing and promoting internationally recognized labour rights, and the examination of the meaning of the obligation of business to respect human rights, considering the evolution from international soft law to incorporation in codes of conduct and the emerging requirement of due diligence.

In a dramatic departure from its voluntary origins, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is rapidly shifting to hold multinational companies accountable for more than traditional shareholder performance. This CSR movement is embracing new environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks that both promote global sustainability goals and enhance accountability for negative impacts businesses can have on ‘planet and people’. This collection of essays by leading businesspeople, international civil servants, legal practitioners, academics, and other experts offers a forward-looking and pragmatic perspective that illuminates the major themes in this movement towards increasingly sustainable, transparent and accountable business practices. The collection shows how CSR has evolved to account for societal pressures, environmental, climate change and human rights impacts, international policy imperatives and the practical challenges of regulating commercial activity that transcends borders. The chapters offer an in-depth examination of current issues including: international frameworks and multistakeholder initiatives catalysing foundational change; the shifting emphasis on corporate imperatives to avoid harm to third parties; trends in CSR, focused on assuring the planet's future sustainability and social stability; regulatory initiatives around the globe, including Europe, North America, Asia and Africa; and extended accountability for activities of corporate group members and supply chains. The pressure and business case for companies to incorporate CSR into corporate governance is intensifying with each quarter, shareholder meeting, and regulatory agenda. The integration of CSR and new ESG frameworks into multinational corporate strategy and operations is key to sustainable business models that can generate long-term value for the organization and all stakeholders. Their acceptance as cornerstones of 21st century business practice appears inevitable. Taking full account of the imperative for companies and their lawyers to grapple with the practical and legal challenges in this area, this volume is an invaluable and pragmatic addition to the practitioners’ toolbox at this important juncture in an ever-more dynamic field.

This timely and thought-provoking book explores how the protection of copyright in the digital age requires a reconsideration of how this is balanced with other fundamental rights and freedoms. Analysing the impact of the rise of digital technologies and the internet on copyright regimes, it particularly focuses on the effects of recent reforms to the EU’s legal framework for the protection and enforcement of copyright.

This book analyses the accountability of European home States for their failure to secure the human rights of victims from host States against transnational enterprises. It argues for a reconfiguration of the relationship between multinational enterprises and individuals, both of which have been profoundly changed by globalisation. Enterprises are now supranational entities with numerous affiliates all over the world. Likewise, individuals are increasingly part of a global community. Despite this, the relationship between the two is deregulated. Addressing this gap, this study proposes an innovative business and human rights litigation strategy. Human rights advocates could file a test case against a European home State, at the European Court of Human Rights, for its failure to secure the rights of victims vis-à-vis European multinational enterprises. The book illustrates why such a strategy is needed, and points to the lack of effective legal remedies against European multinationals. The goal is to empower victims from developing countries against European States which are failing to hold multinational enterprises accountable for human rights abuses.

The sixth edition of Cases & Materials on International Law is a topical and engaging companion for study; placing international law directly in the context of contemporary debate. The book offers broad coverage of international law, and is an appropriate match for a range of courses and teaching styles.

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this practical analysis of the law covering merchants’ status and obligations – including the laws governing state intervention in economic activities – in Hungary provides quick and easy guidance on such commercial and economic matters as business assets, negotiable instruments, commercial securities, and regulation of the conditions of commercial transactions. Lawyers who handle transnational business will appreciate the explanation of local variations in terminology and the distinctive concepts that determine practice and procedure. Starting with a general description of the specifically applicable concepts and sources of commercial law, the book goes on to discuss such factors as obligations of economic operators and institutions, goodwill, broker/client relations, commercial property rights, and bankruptcy. Discussion of economic law covers the laws governing establishment, supervision of economic activities, competition law, and government taxation incentives. These details are presented in such a way that readers who are unfamiliar with specific terms and concepts in varying contexts will fully grasp their meaning and significance. Thorough yet practical, this convenient volume is a valuable tool for business executives and their legal counsel with international interests. Lawyers representing parties with interests in Hungary will welcome this very useful guide, and academics and researchers will appreciate its value in the study of comparative commercial and economic law.

Business and human rights (BHR) is a rapidly developing field at the intersection of business, law, and public policy. Teaching Business and Human Rights is a practical guide and resource for the growing community of BHR teachers, students, and practitioners – from advocates and policymakers to business managers and investors. Chapter authors explain common BHR topics, suggest teaching approaches that work in the classroom, and identify helpful teaching resources. Chapters cover the building blocks of a BHR curriculum: foundational topics including corporate responsibility, human rights, and human rights due diligence; tools, such as legislation and litigation, to provide remedy and hold companies accountable for their human rights impacts; and the specific rights affected by businesses in different industries.

To achieve sustainable progress in workplace and societal functioning and development, it is essential to align perspectives for the management of health, safety and well-being. Employers are responsible for providing every individual with a working environment that is safe and does not harm their physical or mental health. However, the current state of the art indicates that approaches used to promote health, safety and well-being have not had the anticipated results. At the level of the enterprise it is widely understood and accepted by all stakeholders that employers share the responsibility of promoting and managing the health of their workers. Evidence indicates that most employers put in place procedures and measures to manage workers’ health and create healthy workplaces to meet legal requirements, as a response to requests by employees, as a need to improve company image/reputation, and to improve productivity. This highlights that in addition to legal requirements, the key drivers for companies also include the ethical and business case. While much has been written about role of legislation and the business case for promoting health, safety and well-being, not much is known about the ‘ethical case’ for promoting employment and working conditions. In this context, this book examines the potential of the link between responsible and sustainable workplace practices, human rights and worker health, safety and well-being and explores how complementary approaches can be used to promote employment and working conditions and sustainability at the organizational level. It offers a framework for aligning different approaches and perspectives to the promotion of workers’ health, safety and well-being and provides recommendations for introducing such an approach at the enterprise level.