International law

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On 29 November 2011 Security Management Initiative launched a report in collaboration with A4ID: "Can you get sued? Legal liability of international humanitarian aid agencies towards their staff."

After the talk, A4ID interviewed Jonathan Potter from People In Aid and Christine Williamson from Save the Children UK, discussing the paper and what it means in practice for aid agencies, what might constitute 'acceptable risk', and the role of HR for workers in the field.

Looking back on last month's UK National Pro Bono Week, I have been thinking about the role of pro bono in a world of cuts, austerity and discontent. Is it a means to an end, or an end in itself?

It is inevitable that disasters do happen. And whether it is an earthquake, flood or food crisis, it is vital that states and communities can access humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible.

If the disaster is on a large scale or takes place in a country which is also struggling with poverty or instability, very often the disaster response will be international. Tents, medical aid, water purification systems and specialist personnel are flown in to assist in the relief operations.

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In order to understand the context of the Durban climate change negotiations, it is essential to look at the development of the international attempts to manage climate change.  This legal guide outlines the UNFCCC, the Kyoto ProtocolA protocol is an amendment or addition to an existing treaty or convention., and climate change negotiations to date, before considering the Durban Climate Change Conference and the issues needing to be discussed.

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[A4ID] Human Rights, Supply Chains and the “Due Diligence” Standard for Responsible Business - Peter Muchlinski.pdf

In this article, Professor Muchlinski, Professor in International Commercial Law at SOAS and author of Multinational Enterprises and the Law, considers the radical 2011 revision of the OECD Guidelines to incorporate human rights, supply chain and due diligence responsibilities.

This revision stems directly from the work of John Ruggie, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Business and Human Rights, in developing the UN Framework for Business and Human Rights which was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council by way of Guiding Principles in March 2011.

A new report launched by Security Management Initiative (SMI) and A4ID considers the legal obligations international aid agencies have to consider in looking after their staff.

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OECD Guidelines.pdf

UK NCP Annual Report to the OECD for 2010-11.pdf

The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are recommendations addressed by governments to multinational enterprises operating in or from adhering countries. They provide non-binding principles and standards for responsible business conduct in a global context consistent with applicable laws and internationally recognised standards. The Guidelines are the only multilaterally agreed and comprehensive code of responsible business conduct that governments have committed to promoting.

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This part concerns regional courts, including human rights courts, in Europe, the Americas and Africa, including: the ECJ, the ECHR, the IACHR, the CJAC, the CCJ, CARICOM, the ACHPR, OHADA, the COMESA Court.

Read the full guide to International Courts and Tribunals - Regional courts including human rights.

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Part four addresses which United Nations Human Rights bodies are available to individuals. An individual or group may bring a complaint against a State for a violation of their human rights before one of the Charter based bodies (such as the Human Rights Council) or the treaty based bodies (such as the Human Rights Committee or the Committee on the Elimination of DiscriminationDiscrimination is the unfavourable treatment of a person on the basis of e.g. their race, colour, ethnic background, nationality, religious belief, age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or pregnancy or maternity leave. against Women).