This course examines why human rights violations occur in global supply chains and how legal frameworks shape corporate conduct. After establishing the economic framework, the course turns to the main regulatory regimes and standards – the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and the EU Due Diligence Directive. A special focus is placed on the cross‑border character of these regulatory regimes and their relationship with enforcement mechanisms in the Global South, as well as the mechanism of indirect regulation, i.e., compelling firms to exercise influence over their suppliers rather than imposing direct, enforceable obligations.

What you’ll master:

• Economic risk analysis of human rights exposure in multi‑tier supply chains.
• Understanding the legal framework for companies, including under public international law, corporate law, and tort law.
• Comparative assessment of the UNGP, OECD Guidelines, and EU Due Diligence Directive.
• Critical appraisal of cross‑border regulatory challenges (jurisdictional conflicts, fragmented enforcement, data‑sharing obstacles) and opportunities.

Prerequisites:

• No prior legal background is required. A willingness to engage with basic concepts of international law, corporate governance, and law and economics is helpful.

Kurs im HIS-LSF