Jelena Aparac | University of Paris (original) (raw)
Papers by Jelena Aparac
Business and Human Rights Journal, 2024
The war in the former Yugoslavia produced many highly trained and experienced combatants, some of... more The war in the former Yugoslavia produced many highly trained and experienced combatants, some of whom engaged not only in a variety of organized criminal activities such as the illicit trade of natural resources, trafficking and corruption, but also war crimes. In the post-war environment various criminal groups took advantage of post-conflict transition conditions which enabled them to be transformed into legitimate legal entities. The failure to investigate and hold to account those involved in criminal activity meant that demobilized soldiers turned to highly profitable, legally constituted private military and security companies (PMSCs). This is coupled with poorly designed security sector reforms that often fail to enhance effective and accountable security that is respectful of human rights. In recent years, similar transformations of many former combatants and criminal groups into legitimate PMSCs around the globe have raised new concerns about their growing activities across different sectors. This article uses the former Yugoslavia as an example from which to highlight some of the increasingly common problems posed by the creation of private military and security providers globally, as a result of the current uncoordinated processes to prevent armed conflicts. The article reflects on the need to avoid smart sanctions and use other foreign policy tools, while calling for an integrated approach to security sector reform and transitional justice that is necessary for sustainable peace.
Global Business Law Review, 2022
It is said that traditional international public law is state-centric and concerns mostly State o... more It is said that traditional international public law is state-centric and concerns mostly State obligations and responsibility. For this, it excluded corporate actors from any accountability mechanism, even when the corporations contribute to armed conflicts and international crimes. International law does not provide a clear definition of what amounts to “subjects” under this set of rules or criteria for how to determine legal personality. At the same time, some branches of international public law directly regulate corporate actions, namely international economic law and international humanitarian law. Conversely, international courts and tribunals have accepted the corporate jus standi, in some instances to defend corporate “human rights” or in other cases to allow corporations to defend their economic interest against States. Yet, States and individuals cannot bring claims against corporations before any international mechanism. Ultimately, the international regulatory framework impedes the rights of victims and communities while allowing for greater protection of corporate interest. This article challenges this doctrine by demonstrating that international law can and should apply to corporations, and prosecutions against international crimes should be part of transitional justice and dealing with the past.
Revue trimestrielle des droits de l'Homme 2023/3 (N° 135), pages 645 à 674, 2023
At a time when Europe is experiencing several conflict situations, whether interstate or involvin... more At a time when Europe is experiencing several conflict situations, whether interstate or involving non-state armed groups, this contribution explores how the European Court of Human Rights contributes to enhancing the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. It provides a detailed analysis of the recent jurisprudential developments leading to the recognition of positive obligations on States in emergency situations. Additionally, it examines the Court’s increased activity during hostilities, demonstrated through the adoption of provisional measures explicitly based on international humanitarian law. In contrast, it should be noted that the Court has a more reserved approach towards non-state armed actors, as their actions can only be controlled by attributing them to a State based on still ambiguous criteria.
States are currently discussing the future of one of the most important instruments for internati... more States are currently discussing the future of one of the most important instruments for international peace and security and the room is almost empty. From 17 to 21 April 2023, the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Private Military and Security Companies (IGWG) will hold its fourth session in Geneva before the renewal of its mandate in September 2023. The aim of the IGWG is to “elaborate the content of an international regulatory framework, without prejudging the nature thereof, relating to the activities of private military and security companies” (PMSCs). And yet, neither security nor Business and Human Rights (BHR) stakeholders are following the process that could profoundly influence the future of conflict dynamics and international security.
Business and Human Rights Journal, 2024
The war in the former Yugoslavia produced many highly trained and experienced combatants, some of... more The war in the former Yugoslavia produced many highly trained and experienced combatants, some of whom engaged not only in a variety of organized criminal activities such as illicit trade of natural resources, trafficking and corruption, but also war crimes. In the post-war environment various criminal groups took advantage of post-conflict transition conditions which enabled them to be transformed into legitimate legal entities. The failure to investigate and hold to account those involved in criminal activity meant that demobilized soldiers turned to highly profitable, legally constituted private military and security companies. This is coupled with the poorly designed security sector reforms that often fails to enhance effective and accountable security respectful of human rights. In recent years, similar transformations of many former combatants and criminal groups into legitimate PMSCs around the globe have raised new concerns about their growing activities across different sectors. This article uses the former Yugoslavia as an example from which to highlight some of the increasingly common problems posed by the creation of private military and security providers globally as a result of the current uncoordinated processes to prevent armed conflicts. The article reflects on the need to avoid smart sanctions and use other foreign policy tools and it calls for an integrated approach of security sector reform and transitional justice necessary for sustainable peace.
Climate Change Litigation: Global Perspectives, 2021
La nature des conflits armes a significativement change ces dernieres decennies car ils sont deve... more La nature des conflits armes a significativement change ces dernieres decennies car ils sont devenus de plus en plus asymetriques. Des etudes multiples montrent que plus l’Etat est riche en ressources naturelles, plus il a la possibilite de subir un conflit interne de long duree. Parmi les acteurs impliques, les entreprises multinationales contribuent directement ou indirectement non seulement aux conflits, mais aussi aux crimes qui sont commis dans ce contexte. Parmi elles, les societes militaires et de securite privees, les entreprises de l’industrie extractive et les institutions financieres privees sont particulierement impliquees. La premiere partie de cette these etudie la cristallisation progressive du droit substantiel et le fondement de la theorie de la responsabilite internationale des entreprises multinationales en raison de leur participation aux crimes internationaux. A la difference de l’approche traditionnelle de droit international public, le droit international huma...
Economic and armed non-state actors increasingly operate through their transnational activities. ... more Economic and armed non-state actors increasingly operate through their transnational activities. International public law excludes them from any international regulation or accountability process. International humanitarian law (IHL, the law of war) as a branch of international public law is an exception to this because it also regulates the behavior of non-state actors. Recent developments pertaining to the potential liability of business entities for involvement in international crimes, particularly when related to the activities of ANSGs challenge the traditional doctrine of international law and demonstrate the need for its norms to adapt to an evolving reality.
International Community Law Review
Fact-finding is a fundamental step in providing documentation that can be used in domestic and in... more Fact-finding is a fundamental step in providing documentation that can be used in domestic and international proceedings. The United Nations establishes commissions of inquiry to investigate international law violations, often in contexts of armed conflict, under the mandate of the Human Rights Council or other more political organs of the UN. They vary in mandate, as well as in investigative and geographic scope. However, to this day, fact-finding mechanisms or inquiry commissions have only rarely conducted investigations into corporate crimes, even in cases where the UN has explicitly recognized the part played by economic actors in armed conflicts. Because corporations are not subjects of international law, they are presumed not to have any direct obligations under international law. Moreover, the mandates of fact-finding missions de facto exclude corporations from investigations because such mandates are always designed to investigate international law violations. By voluntarily...
Armed Groups and International Law, 2020
While nowadays it is widely accepted that non state actors play important roles in international ... more While nowadays it is widely accepted that non state actors play important roles in international relations, the specific traits of obscure relationships between two or more non-state actors remain unclear and insufficiently explored.
Opinio Juris, 2020
The Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Businesses... more The Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Businesses with Respect to Human Rights (“IGWG”) was mandated by the Human Rights Council (res 26/9) to draft a legally binding instrument on business and human rights. To date, the IGWG has held four sessions between 2015 and 2018. The Fifth session marked the beginning of direct intergovernmental negotiations on the basis of the revised draft instrument.
Opinio Juris, 2020
This is part of a series of blog posts examining International Criminal Law and the Protection of... more This is part of a series of blog posts examining International Criminal Law and the Protection of the Environment, and stems from an expert meeting group convened at the Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA School of Law in February 2020.
Opinio Juris, 2020
This is the first part of a two-part post. This is part of a series of blog posts examining Inter... more This is the first part of a two-part post. This is part of a series of blog posts examining International Criminal Law and the Protection of the Environment, and stems from an expert meeting group convened at the Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA School of Law in February 2020.
Business and Human Rights Law Journal, 2020
Economic and armed non-state actors increasingly operate through their transnational activities. ... more Economic and armed non-state actors increasingly operate through their transnational activities. International public law excludes them from any international regulation or accountability process. International humanitarian law (IHL, the law of war) as a branch of international public law is an exception to this because it also regulates the behavior of non-state actors. Recent developments pertaining to the potential liability of business entities for involvement in international crimes, particularly when related to the activities of ANSGs challenge the traditional doctrine of international law and demonstrate the need for its norms to adapt to an evolving reality.
JusticeInfo blog, 2019
So far, States and courts have largely freed companies from direct or indirect responsibility for... more So far, States and courts have largely freed companies from direct or indirect responsibility for international crimes. Ending this impunity would restore the balance of power between resource-rich countries and those who exploit them. It would also restore confidence in international justice.
La Revue des Droits de l'Homme, 2016
Le conflit armé au Yémen a été déclenché en mars 2015 par une intervention militaire de la Coalit... more Le conflit armé au Yémen a été déclenché en mars 2015 par une intervention militaire de la Coalition de plusieurs pays du Golf et de la Ligue Arabe à la demande du président Hadi en exil à Riyad. La Coalition, qui agit sur commandement militaire de l’Arabie Saoudite, combat le groupe armé Houthi qui contrôle militairement et administrativement une partie du territoire ensemble avec sa branche politique Ansar Allah. Les Houthis sont soutenus par l’ancien président Saleh. Le conflit soulève des questions juridiques importantes telles que la qualification du conflit armé au Yémen ainsi que son éventuel internationalisation et le droit applicable. En outre, le conflit s’inscrit dans un contexte économique et politique désastreux et aggrave la situation humanitaire du pays. En effet, sur 26 millions d’habitants, 18 sont en grande situation de besoin humanitaire et parmi ceux-ci, 10.3 million sont dans un besoin urgent d’aide humanitaire, sans laquelle ils risquent leurs vies. Ce drame interroge aussi sur l’absence de couverture médiatique alors que les personnes et des biens civils sont les premiers à être touchés par des attaques militaires ciblées, en violation du droit international humanitaire. Malgré cela, il n’y aura aucune enquête internationale indépendante et impartiale pour documenter les violences. Le Yémen est en train de devenir un « failed state ».
La Revue des droits de l'Homme, 2016
L’attaque de l’hôpital des Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) à Kunduz, en Afghanistan, le 3 octobre ... more L’attaque de l’hôpital des Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) à Kunduz, en Afghanistan, le 3 octobre 2015 a suscité de vives réactions dans l’opinion publique mondiale. Mais elle pose aussi des questions juridiques importantes, en particulier concernant l’applicabilité du droit des conflits armés même aux nouvelles formes de guerre. En effet, la nature du conflit – et donc le droit applicable – en Afghanistan, qui dure depuis 30 ans, a changé à plusieurs reprises, entre les différentes invasions, les guerres civiles inter-ethniques et la « lutte contre le terrorisme ». En outre, ce drame interroge quant à l’action en justice la mieux appropriée pour faire cesser les attaques et garantir leur non répétition. Or, à cet égard, le choix de MSF de recourir à une Commission d’établissement des faits est risqué, car elle ne permettra de répondre que partiellement au besoin de justice effective.
La RSE saisie par le droit, 2016
Which International Jurisdiction for Corporate Crimes in Armed Conflicts, 2016
Business and Human Rights Journal, 2024
The war in the former Yugoslavia produced many highly trained and experienced combatants, some of... more The war in the former Yugoslavia produced many highly trained and experienced combatants, some of whom engaged not only in a variety of organized criminal activities such as the illicit trade of natural resources, trafficking and corruption, but also war crimes. In the post-war environment various criminal groups took advantage of post-conflict transition conditions which enabled them to be transformed into legitimate legal entities. The failure to investigate and hold to account those involved in criminal activity meant that demobilized soldiers turned to highly profitable, legally constituted private military and security companies (PMSCs). This is coupled with poorly designed security sector reforms that often fail to enhance effective and accountable security that is respectful of human rights. In recent years, similar transformations of many former combatants and criminal groups into legitimate PMSCs around the globe have raised new concerns about their growing activities across different sectors. This article uses the former Yugoslavia as an example from which to highlight some of the increasingly common problems posed by the creation of private military and security providers globally, as a result of the current uncoordinated processes to prevent armed conflicts. The article reflects on the need to avoid smart sanctions and use other foreign policy tools, while calling for an integrated approach to security sector reform and transitional justice that is necessary for sustainable peace.
Global Business Law Review, 2022
It is said that traditional international public law is state-centric and concerns mostly State o... more It is said that traditional international public law is state-centric and concerns mostly State obligations and responsibility. For this, it excluded corporate actors from any accountability mechanism, even when the corporations contribute to armed conflicts and international crimes. International law does not provide a clear definition of what amounts to “subjects” under this set of rules or criteria for how to determine legal personality. At the same time, some branches of international public law directly regulate corporate actions, namely international economic law and international humanitarian law. Conversely, international courts and tribunals have accepted the corporate jus standi, in some instances to defend corporate “human rights” or in other cases to allow corporations to defend their economic interest against States. Yet, States and individuals cannot bring claims against corporations before any international mechanism. Ultimately, the international regulatory framework impedes the rights of victims and communities while allowing for greater protection of corporate interest. This article challenges this doctrine by demonstrating that international law can and should apply to corporations, and prosecutions against international crimes should be part of transitional justice and dealing with the past.
Revue trimestrielle des droits de l'Homme 2023/3 (N° 135), pages 645 à 674, 2023
At a time when Europe is experiencing several conflict situations, whether interstate or involvin... more At a time when Europe is experiencing several conflict situations, whether interstate or involving non-state armed groups, this contribution explores how the European Court of Human Rights contributes to enhancing the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. It provides a detailed analysis of the recent jurisprudential developments leading to the recognition of positive obligations on States in emergency situations. Additionally, it examines the Court’s increased activity during hostilities, demonstrated through the adoption of provisional measures explicitly based on international humanitarian law. In contrast, it should be noted that the Court has a more reserved approach towards non-state armed actors, as their actions can only be controlled by attributing them to a State based on still ambiguous criteria.
States are currently discussing the future of one of the most important instruments for internati... more States are currently discussing the future of one of the most important instruments for international peace and security and the room is almost empty. From 17 to 21 April 2023, the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Private Military and Security Companies (IGWG) will hold its fourth session in Geneva before the renewal of its mandate in September 2023. The aim of the IGWG is to “elaborate the content of an international regulatory framework, without prejudging the nature thereof, relating to the activities of private military and security companies” (PMSCs). And yet, neither security nor Business and Human Rights (BHR) stakeholders are following the process that could profoundly influence the future of conflict dynamics and international security.
Business and Human Rights Journal, 2024
The war in the former Yugoslavia produced many highly trained and experienced combatants, some of... more The war in the former Yugoslavia produced many highly trained and experienced combatants, some of whom engaged not only in a variety of organized criminal activities such as illicit trade of natural resources, trafficking and corruption, but also war crimes. In the post-war environment various criminal groups took advantage of post-conflict transition conditions which enabled them to be transformed into legitimate legal entities. The failure to investigate and hold to account those involved in criminal activity meant that demobilized soldiers turned to highly profitable, legally constituted private military and security companies. This is coupled with the poorly designed security sector reforms that often fails to enhance effective and accountable security respectful of human rights. In recent years, similar transformations of many former combatants and criminal groups into legitimate PMSCs around the globe have raised new concerns about their growing activities across different sectors. This article uses the former Yugoslavia as an example from which to highlight some of the increasingly common problems posed by the creation of private military and security providers globally as a result of the current uncoordinated processes to prevent armed conflicts. The article reflects on the need to avoid smart sanctions and use other foreign policy tools and it calls for an integrated approach of security sector reform and transitional justice necessary for sustainable peace.
Climate Change Litigation: Global Perspectives, 2021
La nature des conflits armes a significativement change ces dernieres decennies car ils sont deve... more La nature des conflits armes a significativement change ces dernieres decennies car ils sont devenus de plus en plus asymetriques. Des etudes multiples montrent que plus l’Etat est riche en ressources naturelles, plus il a la possibilite de subir un conflit interne de long duree. Parmi les acteurs impliques, les entreprises multinationales contribuent directement ou indirectement non seulement aux conflits, mais aussi aux crimes qui sont commis dans ce contexte. Parmi elles, les societes militaires et de securite privees, les entreprises de l’industrie extractive et les institutions financieres privees sont particulierement impliquees. La premiere partie de cette these etudie la cristallisation progressive du droit substantiel et le fondement de la theorie de la responsabilite internationale des entreprises multinationales en raison de leur participation aux crimes internationaux. A la difference de l’approche traditionnelle de droit international public, le droit international huma...
Economic and armed non-state actors increasingly operate through their transnational activities. ... more Economic and armed non-state actors increasingly operate through their transnational activities. International public law excludes them from any international regulation or accountability process. International humanitarian law (IHL, the law of war) as a branch of international public law is an exception to this because it also regulates the behavior of non-state actors. Recent developments pertaining to the potential liability of business entities for involvement in international crimes, particularly when related to the activities of ANSGs challenge the traditional doctrine of international law and demonstrate the need for its norms to adapt to an evolving reality.
International Community Law Review
Fact-finding is a fundamental step in providing documentation that can be used in domestic and in... more Fact-finding is a fundamental step in providing documentation that can be used in domestic and international proceedings. The United Nations establishes commissions of inquiry to investigate international law violations, often in contexts of armed conflict, under the mandate of the Human Rights Council or other more political organs of the UN. They vary in mandate, as well as in investigative and geographic scope. However, to this day, fact-finding mechanisms or inquiry commissions have only rarely conducted investigations into corporate crimes, even in cases where the UN has explicitly recognized the part played by economic actors in armed conflicts. Because corporations are not subjects of international law, they are presumed not to have any direct obligations under international law. Moreover, the mandates of fact-finding missions de facto exclude corporations from investigations because such mandates are always designed to investigate international law violations. By voluntarily...
Armed Groups and International Law, 2020
While nowadays it is widely accepted that non state actors play important roles in international ... more While nowadays it is widely accepted that non state actors play important roles in international relations, the specific traits of obscure relationships between two or more non-state actors remain unclear and insufficiently explored.
Opinio Juris, 2020
The Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Businesses... more The Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Businesses with Respect to Human Rights (“IGWG”) was mandated by the Human Rights Council (res 26/9) to draft a legally binding instrument on business and human rights. To date, the IGWG has held four sessions between 2015 and 2018. The Fifth session marked the beginning of direct intergovernmental negotiations on the basis of the revised draft instrument.
Opinio Juris, 2020
This is part of a series of blog posts examining International Criminal Law and the Protection of... more This is part of a series of blog posts examining International Criminal Law and the Protection of the Environment, and stems from an expert meeting group convened at the Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA School of Law in February 2020.
Opinio Juris, 2020
This is the first part of a two-part post. This is part of a series of blog posts examining Inter... more This is the first part of a two-part post. This is part of a series of blog posts examining International Criminal Law and the Protection of the Environment, and stems from an expert meeting group convened at the Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA School of Law in February 2020.
Business and Human Rights Law Journal, 2020
Economic and armed non-state actors increasingly operate through their transnational activities. ... more Economic and armed non-state actors increasingly operate through their transnational activities. International public law excludes them from any international regulation or accountability process. International humanitarian law (IHL, the law of war) as a branch of international public law is an exception to this because it also regulates the behavior of non-state actors. Recent developments pertaining to the potential liability of business entities for involvement in international crimes, particularly when related to the activities of ANSGs challenge the traditional doctrine of international law and demonstrate the need for its norms to adapt to an evolving reality.
JusticeInfo blog, 2019
So far, States and courts have largely freed companies from direct or indirect responsibility for... more So far, States and courts have largely freed companies from direct or indirect responsibility for international crimes. Ending this impunity would restore the balance of power between resource-rich countries and those who exploit them. It would also restore confidence in international justice.
La Revue des Droits de l'Homme, 2016
Le conflit armé au Yémen a été déclenché en mars 2015 par une intervention militaire de la Coalit... more Le conflit armé au Yémen a été déclenché en mars 2015 par une intervention militaire de la Coalition de plusieurs pays du Golf et de la Ligue Arabe à la demande du président Hadi en exil à Riyad. La Coalition, qui agit sur commandement militaire de l’Arabie Saoudite, combat le groupe armé Houthi qui contrôle militairement et administrativement une partie du territoire ensemble avec sa branche politique Ansar Allah. Les Houthis sont soutenus par l’ancien président Saleh. Le conflit soulève des questions juridiques importantes telles que la qualification du conflit armé au Yémen ainsi que son éventuel internationalisation et le droit applicable. En outre, le conflit s’inscrit dans un contexte économique et politique désastreux et aggrave la situation humanitaire du pays. En effet, sur 26 millions d’habitants, 18 sont en grande situation de besoin humanitaire et parmi ceux-ci, 10.3 million sont dans un besoin urgent d’aide humanitaire, sans laquelle ils risquent leurs vies. Ce drame interroge aussi sur l’absence de couverture médiatique alors que les personnes et des biens civils sont les premiers à être touchés par des attaques militaires ciblées, en violation du droit international humanitaire. Malgré cela, il n’y aura aucune enquête internationale indépendante et impartiale pour documenter les violences. Le Yémen est en train de devenir un « failed state ».
La Revue des droits de l'Homme, 2016
L’attaque de l’hôpital des Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) à Kunduz, en Afghanistan, le 3 octobre ... more L’attaque de l’hôpital des Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) à Kunduz, en Afghanistan, le 3 octobre 2015 a suscité de vives réactions dans l’opinion publique mondiale. Mais elle pose aussi des questions juridiques importantes, en particulier concernant l’applicabilité du droit des conflits armés même aux nouvelles formes de guerre. En effet, la nature du conflit – et donc le droit applicable – en Afghanistan, qui dure depuis 30 ans, a changé à plusieurs reprises, entre les différentes invasions, les guerres civiles inter-ethniques et la « lutte contre le terrorisme ». En outre, ce drame interroge quant à l’action en justice la mieux appropriée pour faire cesser les attaques et garantir leur non répétition. Or, à cet égard, le choix de MSF de recourir à une Commission d’établissement des faits est risqué, car elle ne permettra de répondre que partiellement au besoin de justice effective.
La RSE saisie par le droit, 2016
Which International Jurisdiction for Corporate Crimes in Armed Conflicts, 2016
Unlike the traditional state-based approach of public international law, international humanitari... more Unlike the traditional state-based approach of public international law, international humanitarian law, which is applicable in times of armed conflict, places clear and binding legal obligations on non-state actors, and thus also multinational corporations. As a result, this law, as well as international criminal law, can be a foundation for the international responsibility of multinational corporations. This postulate has been accepted since the Nuremberg trials, which for the first time dismissed the principle of societas delinquere non potest and recognized the role of corporations in armed conflict. Despite the proliferation of soft law initiatives relating to corporate social responsibility, it is clear that these are insufficient as they fail to take into account situations of armed conflict. The author is studying the option of engaging the responsibility of multinational corporations before the criminal mechanisms, including before the International Criminal Court (with the amendment of the Rome Statute). The author is exploring the most suitable opportunity before various institutions specialized either in human rights or international economic law. The author completes the study with a consideration of the documentation of corporate crimes, either through official investigations or by those conducted by civil society and People’s tribunals. The author concludes that the path of international criminal procedure is the most appropriate for the implementation of the responsibility of multinational corporations for their participation in international crimes without excluding other existing competent mechanisms that may constitute complementary proceedings.
This is an expert statement on the revised draft treaty on business and human rights pronounced d... more This is an expert statement on the revised draft treaty on business and human rights pronounced during the official IGWG's Fifth session (2019).