The Viability of the Maastricht Principles on Extraterritorial Obligations of States on Socioeconomic Rights in Advancing Socioeconomic Rights in Developing Countries

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness the recently adopted Maastricht Principles on Extraterritoriality of Obligations on socioeconomic rights. Although not a binding document by any standard, the Maastricht Principles seek a lasting solution to impunity often displayed by big multi-national companies (MNCs) regarding their activities in many developing countries. Thus, the Principles aim at ensuring that home states of companies bear the responsibilities for human rights violations committed outside their territories. This article critically analyses the content of the Maastricht Principles on Extraterritoriality with a view to ascertaining its viability for holding non-state actors, particularly multinational companies, liable for human rights violations committed outside their headquarters

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n15p67