Overcoming corporate-related human rights abuses in transitional justice: Lights and shadows from the case of Argentina

Abstract

This article explores how justice mechanisms could serve to advance corporate accountability in transitional justice. In doing so, Argentina will act as a case study. Therefore, it first explores how corporate accountability for human rights abuses can be addressed in transitional justice, specifically focusing on justice mechanisms and including examples of previous experiences. It also provides relevant insights from the international framework of business and human rights in order to examine how this field has contributed to developing international standards for corporate-related human rights abuses in transition. Based on this background, the article reviews the context of the last Argentinian dictatorship and corporate involvement in human rights abuses perpetrated. Next, it analyses how the transitional justice process in Argentina has dealt with this issue, particularly regarding domestic prosecutions to corporate managers. Finally, the article offers some concluding considerations and suggestions for the way forward.