Abolish legal black hole in a globalized world

Victims of War, Economic Sanctions and Structural Adjustment Are Entitled to Remedies

Powerful states, NATO, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and multinational corporations increasingly affect by their policies the enjoyment of human rights around the world.

When NATO attacked Serbia in 1999, when the United States attacked Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003, it caused vast harm to hundreds of thousands of innocent people, including death.

When the United Nations imposed a deadly embargo against Iraq between 2000 and 2003, it caused the deaths of half a million children.

When the International Monetary Fund imposes or induces austerity measures in poor countries (structural adjustment), it often causes irreparable harm to the poor.

Innocent victims of policies pursued by foreign states or international organisations have no recourse to obtain remedies for the injury they have sustained, such as loss of income, loss of health or the loss of life of their mates or children. Their human rights are violated twice: First at the substantial level and secondly by being denied any remedies.

We, undersigned, call on the UN General Assembly to adopt a Declaration upholding the right of every individual, regardless of residence, to obtain effective international remedies against violations caused by extraterritorial policies and acts of governments, international organisations and corporations.