The liability of multinational corporations under international law for human rights violations in the Niger Delta (Nigeria)

The activities of multinational corporations (MNCs) have gained increased attention globally as a result of the deleterious effects arising from their misconduct. MNCs by their sheer size have turned into major world players with disposition to act with impunity, especially with regard to human rights.; This thesis investigates the liability of MNCs under international law for human rights violations using the Nigeria's Niger Delta as a case study. Efforts to seek remedy within the international legal system, as is shown in this thesis, confront strong obstacles.; This thesis proffers a two-pronged practical solution to these problems. First, the thesis, after an exploration of various remedies against MNCs, concludes that corporate criminal liability serves a more useful purpose in the present times when corporations and their managers make huge profits at the expense of environmental and human rights. Second, in light of the difficulty in concluding a legally binding multilateral agreement on MNCs, this thesis argues that only a regional mechanism offers a glimmer of hope for Africa in this situation. Thus, it proposes a regional initiative based on African experiences with MNCs and recommends the establishment of an “African Union Agreement on Multinational Corporations and Trade” by the African Union, an exercise which will give the African states a collective power to curtail MNCs' misconduct. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...