Corporate Accountability Mechanisms in EU Member States for Human Rights Abuses in Third Countries

Abstract

The right of access to a remedy for victims of corporate human rights abuses, enshrined in the third pillar of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, can be achieved through judicial and non-judicial mechanisms. This contribution aims to add to research in this field by focusing on the use of European Union (EU) Member States’ judicial mechanisms in claims involving human rights violations by EU-based companies in third countries. The contribution presents a mapping of all relevant legal proceedings brought before the courts of EU Member States. The mapping is based on a screening of specialised websites, existing mappings from other studies and a consultation of academic experts. On the basis of these sources the contribution makes an inventory of existing cases and provides key information on the company involved, the EU Member States in which the case takes place, the nature of the violation and the outcome. The contribution discusses the main implications of the findings in terms of the use of judicial instruments, the companies targeted, their outcomes and distribution across the EU.