Barbara Linder Knihy

This unique book examines the accountability of bilateral state development and export credit agencies regarding human rights violations. Unlike major international entities like the World Bank, these agencies have received limited scrutiny. The analysis focuses on the effectiveness of the human rights system in enabling affected individuals to seek accountability for violations linked to agency-supported projects. It offers a thorough exploration of the legal nature of these agencies and investigates three pathways for accountability: host state, home state, and corporate responsibility. Additionally, it presents empirical data on the corporate responsibility processes in seven agencies. The author concludes that a significant accountability gap exists in relation to these undertakings. The final chapters propose recommendations to enhance human rights accountability and improve access to justice for those adversely affected. This work is particularly relevant for academics and legal professionals at the intersection of human rights, development cooperation, and investment, providing insights into existing case law, identifying accountability gaps, and offering illustrative case studies as valuable references.