* Examines broad range of non-state actors engaged in activities that violate, promote, or protect human rights * Looks at human rights issues in bioethics, armed conflicts, labor, and welfare reform Despite the widespread acceptance of human rights at the normative level, actual progress toward the realization of human rights globally has been far from satisfactory. Concerned with human rights outcomes, this book departs from analyses that focus on the role of the state in human rights promotion and urges the study of the entire human rights universe. Transcending as well the literature on the role of NGOs, the book examines a broad range of non-state actors engaged in various activities that violate, promote or protect human rights. Contributing authors examine several important issues, such as bioethics, armed conflicts, and welfare reform, while stressing the need for accountability and mechanisms for curbing human rights violations. Other Contributors: Michael Goodhart, Herbert F. Spirer, Louise Spirer, Rainer Braun, Judy Gearhart, James L. Gunderson, J. Paul Martin, Richard Falk, Ruth Macklin, Alice Page, Anne Nelson, Thomas R. Lansner, Kevin Bales, Dana-Ain Davis, and Willy Fautre.

The threats to human rights posed by non-state actors are of increasing concern. Human rights activists increasingly address the activity of multinational corporations, the policies of international organizations such as the World Bank and the World Trade Organization, and international crimes committed by entities such as armed opposition groups and terrorists. This book presents an approach to human rights that goes beyond the traditional focus on states and outlines the human rights obligations of non-state actors. Furthermore, it addresses some of the ways in which these entities can be held legally accountable for their actions in various jurisdictions. The political debate concerning the appropriateness of expanding human rights scrutiny to non-state actors is discussed and dissected. For some, extending human rights into these spheres trivializes human rights and allows abusive governments to distract us from ongoing violations. For others such an extension is essential if human rights are properly to address the current concerns of women and workers. The main focus of the book, however, is on the legal obligations of non-state actors. The book discusses how developments in the fields of international responsibility and international criminal law have implications for building a framework for the human rights obligations of non-state actors in international law. In turn these international developments have drawn on the changing ways in which human rights are implemented in national law. A selection of national jurisdictions, including the United States, South Africa and the United Kingdom are examined with regard to the application of human rights law to non-state actors. The book's final part includes suggestions with regard to understanding the parameters of the human rights obligations of non-state actors. Key to understanding the legal obligations of non-state actors are concepts such as dignity and democracy. While neither concept can unravel the dilemmas involved in the application of human rights law to non-state actors, a better understanding of the tensions surrounding these concepts can help us to understand what is at stake.

Addressing the reality that non-state actors do violate human rights in practice, which cannot be overlooked, author Nicolas Carrillo-Santarelli argues that the foundations and main principles of international human rights law call for the regulation of direct non-state obligations and responsibilities, given the potential failure of domestic actions and the limits of voluntary strategies. In part I, the author presents his ideas on why non-state abuses should be regarded as human rights violations and wrongful acts. Part II studies why direct protection from non-state violations is possible, and what legal mechanisms and institutions permit to make it effective. The final Chapter turns to the examination of the mechanisms that can be used to respond to or prevent non-state violations of human rights law. This book is based on the idea that the protagonists of human rights law are individuals, who deserve protection from all abusers, be they States, armed groups, international organizations, or other actors. Revised Dissertation. [Subject: Human Rights Law, International Law]

Under traditional approaches to human rights, non-State actors cannot be parties to the relevant treaties so are only bound to the extent that obligations accepted by States can be applied to them by governments. The contributors to this volume examine the different approaches that might be taken in order to ensure some degree of accountability.

Under traditional approaches to human rights, non-State actors cannot be parties to the relevant treaties so are only bound to the extent that obligations accepted by States can be applied to them by governments. The contributors to this volume examine the different approaches that might be taken in order to ensure some degree of accountability.