Violation of collective human rights by international institutions

Violation of communal rights by transnational corporations

Nature

In many cases, those responsible for violations of economic, social and cultural rights and of the collective rights with an economic content such as the right to development or the right to a healthy environment, are sometimes international entities applying policies which constitute veritable sources of large-scale and serious violations of collective and individual rights in the countries with weak economies. At this level, the responsibility is collective. The most typical example is the case of debt management by the international financial institutions. Another example is the case of structural adjustment programmes whose consequences are disastrous for the economies of the developing countries.

Background

The violations committed by the transnational corporations in their mainly transboundary activities do not come within the competence of a single State and, to prevent contradictions and inadequacies in the remedies and sanctions decided upon by States individually or as a group, these violations should form the subject of special attention. The States and the international community should combine their efforts so as to contain such activities by the establishment of legal standards capable of achieving that objective. The same is true of the looting of the cultural heritage of the third-world peoples and countries. Until quite recently, only States were subject of international law but individuals and groups of individuals can now take legal action or be summoned before international authorities to answer for their activities. The international community must establish a legal framework which will make it possible to bring actions, with some hope of success, for redress or punishment, a framework that would be supplemented by the principle of universal jurisdiction. To meet this responsibility more effectively, the international community must obtain from the States the commitment to include in their domestic legal systems international standards concerning human rights as a whole, while respecting their international obligations.

Incidence

International institutions, including financial bodies, trade organizations, and peacekeeping missions, have been implicated in actions that undermine collective human rights across multiple regions. These violations often manifest through policies or interventions that disregard the rights of communities, indigenous peoples, or entire populations, affecting millions globally. The scale of such incidents is significant, as decisions made at the international level can override national protections and local autonomy, leading to widespread social, economic, and cultural harm.
In 2021, the World Bank faced criticism for funding projects in Tanzania that resulted in the forced eviction of Maasai communities from their ancestral lands, raising concerns about collective rights violations.

Claim

The responsibility of the international community is great with regard to these economic policies favouring the developed countries which widen daily the gap between rich and poor countries. The maintenance of the existing economic order with these injustices and its failure to adapt to today's economic realities, rectification of which has been constantly demanded but in vain, is also a responsibility of the international community. In the case of the violations which now form part of history, it is for the international community to undertake the necessary actions to remedy justly the harm done to the victim peoples. It should do so in cooperation with all the actors on the international stage.

Counter-claim

The notion that international institutions systematically violate collective human rights is vastly overstated and not a significant problem. These organizations are primarily designed to promote peace, cooperation, and development, not to undermine rights. Isolated incidents may occur, but they are exceptions, not the rule. Focusing on this supposed issue distracts from more pressing human rights concerns at national and local levels, where violations are far more frequent and impactful on people’s daily lives.