A responsabilidade internacional das empresas transnacionais por ofensas aos direitos humanos

Abstract

Economic globalization has caused a wide range of new relations and within it, new parties that act across borders. These relations generate, obligations, rights and sometimes, leave behind damages that need to be repaired. Among these new actors the transnational corporations have an important role. They have often reached substantial power in the global scenery in many cases superior to most developing countries. The economic strength held by these corporations in developing countries is one important aspect in this study. By analyzing previous cases, the study intends to demonstrate the possibility of direct international responsibility of transnational corporations. Through the definition of transnational corporation, this paper brings an historical approach of the International Law doctrine and sovereignty considering the evolution of these concepts. In an attempt to place the international responsibility currently, the work studies the correlation between globalization and the need for investments by developing countries without disregarding the problematic side of it, especially when human rights are in jeopardy. Finally, the types of responsibility are discussed and the convenience or inconvenience of establishing methods for these actors to be hold responsible is analyzed