The creation of the doctrine of conventionality control is one of the most recent and ambitious efforts undertaken by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to increase the effectiveness of and compliance with the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR) at the State level. It is an international obligation of all State parties to interpret domestic law in accordance with the ACHR and with the Inter-American Corpus Juris more generally, and to avoid the enforcement of that law in the case that no consistent interpretation is legally possible. This book is the first that approaches conventionality control from an analytical, critical and normative perspective. The author applies the principle of subsidiarity as a theoretical framework to argue the legality of and clarify the content of conventionality control as an international legal obligation. This innovative approach explains the normative foundations and effects of the doctrine in a manner that increases the effectiveness of the ACHR and the decisions of the Inter-American Court, whilst also respecting the legitimate freedom of States in the way they implement international human rights law at a domestic level. Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the ACHR coming into force, The Doctrine of Conventionality Control is an important contribution to the literature on the application of the ACHR in the State parties. It is a book for everybody interested in, involved with or affected by the implementation of the ACHR. ‘This book comes at a perfect timing: the 40th anniversary of the entry into force of the American Convention on Human Rights. It is the most comprehensive analysis of the doctrine of conventionality control written to this day. It not only analyses the state of the art on this important subject, but also explains some of its theoretical and practical challenges, and introduces some fertile ideas for its development in the future. Anyone concerned with the current relationship between the Inter-American Court and state institutions in Latin America should read this book.’ Eduardo Ferrer Mac-Gregor Poisot, President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ‘The doctrine of "control of conventionality" is one of the most important - and controversial - recent innovations in the field of international human rights law. Tracing the history of its development by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and dissecting its rationale, Pablo González-Dominguez offers both an insightful critique and an intriguing reformulation of the doctrine. His invaluable study opens a normative and analytical window, not only on control of conventionality per se, but more broadly on the complex interplay between international and national law.’ Douglass Cassel, Professor of Law and Notre Dame Presidential Fellow, Notre Dame Law School ‘With this book the author enters the debate on how to understand and improve the relationship between the Inter-American System of Human Rights and domestic constitutional systems in Latin America in the 21st century. The book aims to develop an understanding of conventionality control that protects and increases the legitimacy of the Inter-American Court as an regional human rights court, whilst also allows it to be a key institutional actor in the fight against injustices and structural deficits in the states parties to the American Convention.’ Mariela Morales Antoniazzi, Senior Research Fellow, Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law

How are common interests protected in international dispute settlement? What is the role of different courts and tribunals? Why is the case law on common interests (in)consistent? Do we need more consistency for a better protection of common interests? Common Interests in International Litigation provides answers to questions that arise in international litigation as a result of an increasing recognition of common interests in this field and an ever-expanding network of specialised judicial bodies.Common Interests in International Litigation studies the case law of a number of international courts, focusing on international litigation concerning natural resource exploitation. This is a theme closely linked to a number of common interests, one which has been considered by a number of courts dealing with human rights, international security, international trade, international investment, the law of the sea, and more.This study aims to bring together the case law of these diverse judicial bodies to develop a common approach to common interests in international litigation. In contrast to previous studies that have focused on the approach to common or public interests in distinct legal regimes, this book offers an overview of the issue traversing traditional boundaries between legal regimes. It is therefore of particular interest to practitioners of international law and scholars specialising in the field seeking to broaden their horizons, and essential reading to all those interested in the enforcement of common interests at the international level.Claire Buggenhoudt successfully defended her doctoral thesis on common interests in international litigation at the University of Antwerp in 2015. From 2009 to 2015 she worked as a teaching assistant in public international law at the University of Antwerp whilst also pursuing her PhD studies. She is currently working as a public law solicitor at the Antwerp Bar.

Participatory democracy has become a buzzword in current discussions about how to democratize the EU. European institutions associate it with civil society involvement in European governance and claim that it might reduce its so-called democratic deficit. The Treaty of Lisbon formalizes this promise by enacting a new Article 11 TEU specifically dedicated to participatory democracy as a founding principle of the EU legal order. This participatory turn has already attracted much scholarly attention. However, two fundamental paradoxes have been overlooked. Whereas participatory democracy was traditionally meant to further the maximum participation of citizens in political life, the EU supports a modern version of the participatory ideal where citizens are represented by a selfdesignated elite of civil society experts. This book takes a critical stance on that technocratic form of government. At the same time, it examines whether there are realistic ways for a bureaucratic organization like the EU to involve a truly civil society of active citizens in governance. Participatory democracy was also intended to overcome the social inequalities of market capitalism. Yet, the EU came into existence as a European economic community embracing free and undistorted competition. This book claims that European civil society may only flourish if social Europe acts as a counterweight to economic Europe. So it analyses whether the EU has developed a social dimension strong enough to protect civil society from the colonizing forces of European economic integration. The author is currently working as an attorney at Van Olmen & Wynant, a Brussels-based law firm with a niche expertise in social and employment law. He also holds a PhD in law from the University of Leicester, awarded for the doctoral thesis upon which this book is based.

For some time now, the European Court of Human Rights is under substantial pressure. From a case overload crisis it stumbled into a legitimacy crisis with regard to certain countries. This should be taken seriously, since scholars warn that institutions with eroding legitimacy risk demise or reform. The goal of this volume is to explore how widespread this critical attitude of the European Court of Human Rights really is. It also assesses to what extent such criticism is being translated in strategies at the political level or at the judicial level and brings about concrete changes in the dynamics between national and European fundamental rights protection. The book is topical and innovative, as these questions have so far remained largely unexplored, especially cross-nationally.Far from focusing exclusively on those voices that are currently raised so loud, conclusions are based on comparative in-depth reports, covering fifteen Contracting Parties and the EU.With contributions of Olgun Akbulut, Tilmann Altwicker, Katarzyna Blay-Grabarczyk, Anna Gamper, Janneke Gerards, Krystyna Kowalik-Banczyk, Sarah Lambrecht, Koen Lemmens, Lubomir Majercík, Giuseppe Martinico, Roger Masterman, Aaron Matta, Christophe Maubernard, Armen Mazmanyan, Katharina Pabel, Eszter Polgári, Patricia Popelier, Clara Rauchegger, Michael Reiertsen and Henrik Wenander.

Winner of the 2015 Max van der Stoel Human Rights AwardNon- State actors, principally corporations and international organizations, as well as foreign States, influence decision-making. This reality particularly affects the enjoyment and implementation of economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights. Alongside what has become a fast-moving reality, legal developments in the field of ESC rights are also happening at a fast pace. In the last decade we have not only witnessed the end of the ESC justiciability debate, including a growing recognition of these rights at the domestic level, but also the adoption of an international complaints procedure to deal with violations of ESC rights (OP-ICESCR). Yet, these legal developments fall short of providing accountability in a globalized world. There is a discrepancy between international human rights law - with its focus on the territorial State - and the current globalized context in which non-state actors and foreign States also affect the enjoyment of ESC rights. Scholars have argued for the expansion of the duty-bearer side of human rights law in order 'to synch' human rights law with reality. Most of the research in the last decade has focused on the recognition of the obligations of foreign States and NSAs, less so on subsequent rules for the attribution and distribution of obligations, responsibility, and remedies. What are the (legal) building blocks or foundations of a multi-duty-bearer accountability framework? This book consists of three parts. In part I the book provides the reader with a solid understanding of the concept of accountability and the challenges it implies for the protection of human rights. Part II reviews the various accountability procedures in the international and regional human rights systems. It details the existence of any procedural and substantive provisions found in the procedures that present prospects or hurdles for the scrutiny of extraterritorial or transnational obligations. Part III turns to a normative, prescriptive outlook as it examines the procedural adaptations needed to facilitate the expansion of the duty-bearer side of human rights law.

The adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security in October 2000 marked the beginning of a global agenda on women in armed conflicts and post-conflict transition. Women, Peace and Security: Repositioning gender in peace agreements discusses the context and the content of this UN agenda and provides a systematic review of its implementation, over the last fifteen years, in peace agreements around the world. This book is timely, offering a valuable contribution to the literature on gender in armed conflicts, peace agreements, peace mediation, and transitional justice and is essential reading for practitioners and scholars working in this field. The study adopts an interdisciplinary approach to raise key theoretical and practical questions often overlooked by scholars working within the strict boundaries of the distinct disciplines. The book introduces a new dataset on peace agreements that provides important comprehensive evidence on the extent to which resolution 1325 and other subsequent resolutions on women, peace and security have impacted on peace agreements. Through the reflections of elite peacemakers, the book provides additional insights into the practice of peacemaking and the challenges of implementing the UN resolutions on women, peace and security on the ground. The findings of this book have important policy implications for governments, international organisations and NGOs who must refocus their efforts on bridging the gap between the theory and practice of gender sensitive peacemaking.'This exceptional study on the women, peace and security council resolutions is a significant contribution to the peace and security literature across multiple fields. Sahla Aroussi has produced a detailed, grounded and thoughtful assessment of the past fifteen years of United Nations Security Council resolutions grounded in thorough policy analysis and underpinned by a unique dataset. The work is particularly timely in light of the Global Study on the Women Peace and Security being undertaken in 2015. This thoughtful and scholarly analysis is grounded in a thorough and detailed empirical study, giving policy makers and academics substantial fodder for future work and reflection.Sahla Aroussi is to be commended for producing a work of immense depth and substance at such an important juncture in the contemporary history of the women, peace and security agenda. The book is a must read for policy makers, feminists and scholars working on these issues.'Fionnuala Ni Aolain, Professor of Law and Associate Director TJI, Ulster University & Professor of Law University of Minnesota'Dr Aroussi's The Women, Peace and Security Resolutions offers a unique insight into how, against certain odds, international standards trickle down and affect people's everyday lives, even in those very environments where that is least likely. This outstanding analysis is an inspiring account of the potential role of mediation and peace negotiation processes as platforms of norm socialization. Beyond its focus on gender, it is therefore most relevant for a wider audience interested in the nexus between international relations, international law and development.' Stef Vandeginste, Lecturer, Institute of Development Policy, University of Antwerp 'This is an outstanding book, which will be of immense value to researchers on conflict, conflict transformation, transitional justice and international law. ..a comprehensive and detailed account of international policy and practice, which will be an excellent resource for practitioners, scholars and researchers.' Carmel Roulston, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Ulster University