Within the framework of social law, the position of temporary agency work has always been a source of some debate. There is an area of tension between the aim for more flexible types of labour on... Show moreWithin the framework of social law, the position of temporary agency work has always been a source of some debate. There is an area of tension between the aim for more flexible types of labour on the one hand and maintaining decent labour relations on the other. For that reason the ILO has engaged in private labour intermediation ever since it was founded. While there was a tendency to forbid, or at least restrict private intermediation in the early years, gradually it became more accepted that, among others, temporary agency work had its merits and that a total ban was useless. In 1997, this culminated in ILO-convention 181, which received wide support. This did not put a stop to the discussion about non-standard types of paid employment. Which types of labour can be considered decent? How do they relate to the human rights? What are the effects of globalisation? At the European level, too, close attention was paid to (for instance, cross-border) temporary agency work. Lastly, the Netherlands itself has it own unique type of public-private regulation. The starting point is the question whether Convention 181 still has value. What are the developments in the social domain with regard to temporary agency work? How do they relate to the various types of flexible labour that are gradually catching up with temporary agency work? The fact that Convention 181 features among the most ratified ILO conventions that have been effected since 1990 makes clear that it is clearly meeting a need. While Convention 181 has met with policy competition from developments such as: decent-isation, human rightification, IFA-isation and Europeanisation, they have not affected its value. Convention 181 advances decent flexibility and fights informal labour and human trafficking. Show less
This dissertation explores the relationship between autonomous weapon systems, the concept of human dignity, and international law. The thesis focuses on four branches of international law ... Show moreThis dissertation explores the relationship between autonomous weapon systems, the concept of human dignity, and international law. The thesis focuses on four branches of international law (international humanitarian law, human rights law, criminal law and the law of state reponsibility) and discusses whether autonomous weapon systems can be used in compliance with these bodies of law. The foundational notion of human dignity in international law provides a theoretical framework for the research and writing. The thesis argues that there are certain kinds of decision-making responsibilities that humans should not delegate to autonomous machines. More specifically, it argues that the transfer of decisions involving complex (and often contradictory) values to artificial intelligence software violates human dignity and, therefore, international law. Nevertheless, as the speed of autonomous weapon systems increases, the opportunities for human involvement and intervention in such decisions will inevitably decrease. Thus, to preserve the principle of human dignity (and ultimately international law), autonomous weapons should have a ‘co-active’ design that ensures teamwork and interdependence between humans and the computer software that directs these weapons. Show less
The research considers structures and practices of regulatory inspections and enforcement, and particularly the relevance and effects of purported “smarter inspections” methods, e.g. risk... Show more The research considers structures and practices of regulatory inspections and enforcement, and particularly the relevance and effects of purported “smarter inspections” methods, e.g. risk-based ones, and how they compare with previously existing practices. Specifically, it considers efficiency and effectiveness of inspections in terms of achieving public welfare, and their economic impact. The first part considers the history of regulatory inspections and how specific inspection institutions started to appear from the 19th century onwards. Of particular interest is how path dependency resulted in important differences in structures and methods between different fields and countries, and how these in turn produced different effects for the public. The second part looks at existing research on the interconnected issues of regulatory compliance drivers, regulatory discretion and risk and regulation. It concludes to the importance of combining several compliance drivers to achieve better results, to the appropriateness of structuring discretion in inspections and enforcement, and to the adequacy of “risk” as an instrument to do so. The third part looks at several case studies (in particular occupational safety and health in Britain and Germany) to consider whether risk-based, ‘smart’ approaches effectively deliver better results with lower burden, and tentatively concludes to the affirmative. Show less
The air transport sector including airlines, airports and providers of air navigation services have largely been State controlled. Formerly, most airlines were State owned. However, the... Show more The air transport sector including airlines, airports and providers of air navigation services have largely been State controlled. Formerly, most airlines were State owned. However, the ownership pattern of airlines has changed gradually to the majority of the airlines being privately owned as a part of globalization and liberalization of economies. These observations can be made in the case of airports too. State owned airports are being privatized in many States due to various reasons. The trend started with the privatization of British Airports Authority (BAA) owned airports in United Kingdom (UK). Europe, Asia and Latin America are now witnessing privatization of airports on a fast track basis. Australia and New Zealand have also privatized their State owned airports in the last decade. Though the models vary depending upon the economic policy of the State, the concept of privatization or private participation in airport infrastructure is gaining momentum in these States. However, the United States of America (USA) remains an exception to this trend of airport privatization. In 2006, India joined the global trend of privatization in airport infrastructure, by privatizing two State owned airports in New Delhi and Mumbai. Though the first privately owned international airport started operations in 1999 in Kochi (Cochin),1 two other privately owned airports were operationalized in Bangalore and Hyderabad only in 2008. Show less
De bestuursrechter wordt de laatste jaren steeds vaker geconfronteerd met geschillen over de verdeling van zogeheten ‘schaarse publieke rechten’. Schaarse publieke rechten zijn vergunningen... Show more De bestuursrechter wordt de laatste jaren steeds vaker geconfronteerd met geschillen over de verdeling van zogeheten ‘schaarse publieke rechten’. Schaarse publieke rechten zijn vergunningen, subsidies en andere publiekrechtelijke rechten waarvan de beschikbaarheid is beperkt door middel van een ‘plafond’ en waarnaar de vraag groter is dan het aanbod. Schaarse publieke rechten komen op uiteenlopende terreinen van het bestuursrecht voor. Enkele bekende voorbeelden van schaarse publieke rechten zijn: frequentievergunningen, kansspelvergunningen, concessies voor openbaar vervoer, NWO-subsidies en cultuursubsidies. De verdeling van schaarse publieke rechten op de verschillende bijzondere terreinen van het bestuursrecht roept vanuit het perspectief van het algemeen bestuursrecht gemeenschappelijke vragen op. In dit proefschrift staat een van deze gemeenschappelijke vragen centraal: de vraag of het bestuursprocesrecht van de Awb voldoende is toegesneden op de verdeling van schaarse publieke rechten. Uit het onderzoek zijn vijf knelpunten naar voren gekomen: ketenbesluitvorming, de noodzaak om meerdere besluiten aan te vechten, de geringe controleerbaarheid van de uitkomsten van het verdeelproces, de beperkte mogelijkheden tot materieel rechtsherstel en de geringe mogelijkheden tot schadevergoeding. In dit boek worden deze knelpunten beschreven en geanalyseerd en worden enkele oplossingsrichtingen verkend. Waar nuttig en mogelijk is daarbij de vergelijking getrokken met de aanbesteding van overheidsopdrachten. Show less
De Europese staatssteunregels stellen paal en perk aan de mogelijkheden voor lidstaten om ondernemingen financieel te steunen. Bij de handhaving van die regels komt een belangrijke taak toe aan de... Show moreDe Europese staatssteunregels stellen paal en perk aan de mogelijkheden voor lidstaten om ondernemingen financieel te steunen. Bij de handhaving van die regels komt een belangrijke taak toe aan de Europese Commissie en aan de nationale rechters. Deze rechters moeten de naleving van de besluiten van de Europese Commissie waarborgen, maar waar nodig ook zelf gevolgen verbinden aan een schending van de staatssteunregels. De Nederlandse rechter heeft zodoende bij de handhaving van de staatssteunregels op zijn minst op papier een belangrijke – en steeds belangrijker wordende – rol te vervullen. Daarbij moet hij niet alleen rekening houden met de relevante Europese regels, maar ook met de nationale (procedurele) context waarin hij opereert. Die kan nogal verschillen: zowel de burgerlijke rechter als de bestuurs- en belastingrechter kunnen namelijk met staatssteungeschillen worden geconfronteerd. In dit proefschrift wordt op basis van ruim tien jaar Nederlandse staatssteunrechtspraak geanalyseerd hoe deze rechters de hen toegewezen rol daadwerkelijk vervullen. Expliciete aandacht gaat uit naar de eisen die zij stellen aan het belang van de partijen, hoe zij beoordelen of van staatssteun sprake is, de gevolgen die zij daadwerkelijk aan schendingen van de staatssteunregels verbinden en de onderlinge verhouding tussen de Nederlandse rechter en de Europese Commissie. Show less
Public enforcement of competition law is in the hands of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM). The ACM has a wide variety of instruments at its disposal to combat unfair... Show morePublic enforcement of competition law is in the hands of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM). The ACM has a wide variety of instruments at its disposal to combat unfair competition. The increasing attention to administrative fines, the qualification of the administrative fine as a form of criminal prosecution and the introduction of more informal types of settlement have led to the question whether public enforcement procedures satisfy fundamental procedural rights. The research studies the various public enforcement procedures of Dutch competition law and compares them to fundamental procedural rights as stipulated in Article 6 ECHR and European law. The analysis brings to light the tension between safeguarding a fair trial on the one hand and the effectiveness of the enforcement of competition law on the other. Based on the concept of the right to a fair decision process, this thesis puts forward specific recommendations which will eliminate this tension. These recommendations are aimed at procedurally enhancing the administrative decision-making – for example by questioning witnesses – and at offering adequate judicial assessment. Show less
This dissertation looks into the role of discretion granted by EU directives in EU legislative decision-making and national transposition processes. It applies a qualitative single country-study,... Show moreThis dissertation looks into the role of discretion granted by EU directives in EU legislative decision-making and national transposition processes. It applies a qualitative single country-study, focusing on the transposition of six directives in the Netherlands, from the policy areas of consumer protection, environment and justice and home affairs (migration). In the theoretical part the concept of discretion is explored, using insights from both the legal and political sciences. The empirical analysis then presents both EU and national processes regarding the six directives, addressed individually as well as in a comparative manner. This study contributes to clarifying the reasons and circumstances regarding the granting of different margins of discretion to Member States and the effects of discretion on EU negotiations and national transposition. It confirms that discretion can have facilitating and impeding effects on transposition, explains why, and identifies other factors affecting transposition by interacting with discretion. Additionally, a more fine-grained approach to measuring discretion is proposed than hitherto. Finally, but addressed separately from the empirical analysis, the link between discretion and legitimacy is elaborated. It is argued that discretion in national transposition processes can be used to enhance the directives’ input, throughput and output legitimacy within national law. Show less
The state of our environment is a global concern. Despite an increasing awareness, setting internationally binding commitments has proven to be a challenging process. In the absence of a... Show more The state of our environment is a global concern. Despite an increasing awareness, setting internationally binding commitments has proven to be a challenging process. In the absence of a stringent international framework, states seek alternatives to promote environmental protection. Can states unilaterally impose trade measures targeting foreign production processes in order to protect transboundary environmental resources? Does WTO law allow for these ‘extraterritorial’ trade measures? This thesis examines extraterritoriality in the trade-environment debate. The WTO legal texts are silent on their jurisdictional scope and the case law has been scarce and incoherent. Part I discusses the relevant legal provisions and dispute settlement reports dealing with jurisdictional issues. Part II adopts a comparative perspective on extraterritoriality in different legal fields. Part III builds upon the lessons learned in Part II, proposing an extraterritoriality decision tree to assess the acceptability of trade measures targeting production within the framework of Article XX GATT. This decision tree is tested through case-studies: the WTO case US-Shrimp is revisited, in addition to EU environmental measures (fishing, emission trading, timber). This research demonstrates that the WTO legal regime does not constitute an impediment to global environmental action. Current WTO law leaves more room than is often thought. Show less
By first examining civil society’s recently recognized amicus curiae role in addressing the ‘broader’ public interest at stake in investor-state arbitration, this research aims to provide a... Show moreBy first examining civil society’s recently recognized amicus curiae role in addressing the ‘broader’ public interest at stake in investor-state arbitration, this research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of civil society’s role as practiced hitherto. It then considers whether such role may be equally adequate whenever investor-state arbitrations closely relate to environmental protection, public health, human rights or other public policy issues that could potentially affect the direct interests of certain communities or groups who are third parties to arbitration proceedings. This research therefore scrutinizes civil society’s amicus role and questions whether it constitutes the most enhanced form of access within the jurisdictional ambit set by IIAs or BITs, and whether it may be expanded. It will also consider whether third party intervention necessarily equates to the joinder of an additional party to arbitration proceedings. Show less
Under customary law as well as the amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court adopted in the Review Conference in Kampala in 2010, an act of aggression by a State is a part... Show moreUnder customary law as well as the amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court adopted in the Review Conference in Kampala in 2010, an act of aggression by a State is a part of the definition of the crime of aggression. This definition clearly encompasses two separate wrongful conducts by different actors. It is less clear how international responsibility arises for both the aggressor state and the individual, and why responsibility for the latter can be predicated only upon the former. This dissertation analyses the way in which aggression is attributed to the aggressor State and the individual, and how State and individual responsibility is delineated from each other, with a particular focus on the legal interest of the aggressed State. First, the argument considers the way in which international law prohibits and criminalizes aggression, elaborating international obligations of States and individuals in that regard (Part I). It then analyses the interconnection between obligations of States to refrain from an act of aggression and obligations of individuals to refrain from conduct relating to the crime of aggression (Part II). Finally, the enforcement against the crime of aggression in the ICC and domestic courts is explored (Part III). Show less
Drawing on several years of field-based research, this dissertation examines what effects framing the International Criminal Court as a “catalyst” for domestic investigations and prosecutions has... Show moreDrawing on several years of field-based research, this dissertation examines what effects framing the International Criminal Court as a “catalyst” for domestic investigations and prosecutions has had in three distinct situation-country contexts: Uganda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It examines how both state and non-state actors have relied upon the principle of complementarity as the logic through which the Court’s catalytic potential can be best realized, as well as a transnational site and adaptive strategy for entrenching the norm of international criminal accountability domestically. In so doing, it asks three principal research questions. First, how has the understanding of complementarity evolved since the ICC’s inception and what role have non-state actors, in particular, played in this evolution? Second, how have ICC judges understood and interpreted complementarity’s requirements in the courtroom, and how has the Office of the Prosecutor sought to implement it as a matter of policy? And third, to what extent and how have the ICC’s interventions in Uganda, Kenya and the DRC affected these countries’ institutional and normative frameworks for carrying out domestic criminal proceedings? Show less
This book is about the creation and enforcement of labour law in Indonesia, a topic that reflects the broader processes of social and political change in the country. Its starting point is... Show more This book is about the creation and enforcement of labour law in Indonesia, a topic that reflects the broader processes of social and political change in the country. Its starting point is the notion of the trade union as a crucial institution in any modern industrial capitalist society, with the potential of promoting some measure of equity and social justice in society. The book discusses three case-studies relating to three major pieces of labour legislation enacted since the Reformasi of 1998 in Indonesia. The first is about trade union legislation, the second about minimum wage policy, and the third about the Industrial Relations Court. These cases show how labour law in Indonesia is best understood as the result of the struggles between different social groups and competing ideologies, which change over time. The author argues that despite all the problems and challenges there remains hope for the development of a sound and effective labour law in Indonesia. This is due in particular to the development of the trade union movement in the country. Unions form a countervailing power against capital and corporate power, and may thus ensure that the results of development are redistributed fairly throughout society. They are also agents of education: their efforts to develop new labour laws and enforce labour standards make workers aware of their rights and may even help in developing a higher degree of rights-consciousness in society more generally. This book is about the creation and enforcement of labour law in Indonesia, a topic that reflects the broader processes of social and political change in the country. Its starting point is the notion of the trade union as a crucial institution in any modern industrial capitalist society, with the potential of promoting some measure of equity and social justice in society. The book discusses three case-studies relating to three major pieces of labour legislation enacted since the Reformasi of 1998 in Indonesia. The first is about trade union legislation, the second about minimum wage policy, and the third about the Industrial Relations Court. These cases show how labour law in Indonesia is best understood as the result of the struggles between different social groups and competing ideologies, which change over time. The author argues that despite all the problems and challenges there remains hope for the development of a sound and effective labour law in Indonesia. This is due in particular to the development of the trade union movement in the country. Unions form a countervailing power against capital and corporate power, and may thus ensure that the results of development are redistributed fairly throughout society. They are also agents of education: their efforts to develop new labour laws and enforce labour standards make workers aware of their rights and may even help in developing a higher degree of rights-consciousness in society more generally. Show less
“Transitional justice” is a field of practice, policy and study that focuses on the ways that societies respond to legacies of large-scale atrocities though tribunals, truth commissions,... Show more“Transitional justice” is a field of practice, policy and study that focuses on the ways that societies respond to legacies of large-scale atrocities though tribunals, truth commissions, reparations, and other mechanisms. Over the last thirty years, transitional justice has become the globally dominant lens through which we grapple with such legacies. Yet transitional justice practice has rarely reflected the diversity of peace and justice traditions around the world, bound up as it has been with largely liberal and Western conceptions of justice. This thesis examines the frictions and blindspots these dynamics have created, arguing that the liberal transitional justice lens has significantly biased our conceptions of what it means to “do justice” as well as the modalities for bringing justice about. If we are to make transitional justice into a true global project, I argue, we need to revisit and deconstruct the field’s core normative metanarratives and assumptions as a prelude to seeking a more emancipatory ground for transitional justice policy and practice that is true to human rights ideals while becoming more open-textured and attuned to local needs and context. Show less
The central question in this book is whether there is a human right to family unification. This book identifies the key elements of the right to family unification. By investigating different... Show moreThe central question in this book is whether there is a human right to family unification. This book identifies the key elements of the right to family unification. By investigating different sources of international, European and domestic law, it assesses whether and how the different legal systems involved affect each other in shaping the right to family unification. By identifying the key elements of the right to family unification, the book can be an important source for immigration lawyers, policy makers and scholars. Show less
This study offers an overview of the challenges occurring in the emerging regime of international criminal justice as a tool of sustainable peace. It illustrates the impact of such regime in... Show moreThis study offers an overview of the challenges occurring in the emerging regime of international criminal justice as a tool of sustainable peace. It illustrates the impact of such regime in international law and international relations focusing on the obstacles and concerns of its governance in the context of the maintenance and restoration of international peace and security. It advocates for an appropriate interaction strategy between the United Nations and the Rome Statute institutions as a matter of international mutual concern and for the sake of human security. Show less
International law and state practice mirrors the recognition of children’s particular need for protection during peacetime but also in situations in which international crimes are being committed,... Show moreInternational law and state practice mirrors the recognition of children’s particular need for protection during peacetime but also in situations in which international crimes are being committed, the prosecution of international crimes committed against children before international courts and tribunals is well embedded. While international prosecutions are thus in line with the overall development of protecting children from the consequences of armed conflict and large scale violence, the involvement of the child in international criminal proceedings also gives rise to new questions which relate to the procedural involvement of the child. As child participation in the proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC) constitutes a matter of fact, one may raise the question whether such participation is a welcome development. This study examines the procedural implications of child participation and thereby intents to contribute legal views and perspectives to the underlying debate on the adequacy of child participation in ICC proceedings. Show less
The thesis examines the state practice of India and analyses how it has contributed to the development of international law. These areas are: history of international law, law of the sea, human... Show moreThe thesis examines the state practice of India and analyses how it has contributed to the development of international law. These areas are: history of international law, law of the sea, human rights, humanitarian law, chemical weapons convention, UN reforms, environmental law, climate change, International Court of Justice. The thesis proves that state practice of India is similar to the state practice of a hegemonic power and India will use more and more international law to promote its national interests and rightful place in the international society of states. Summary conclusions: Distinct Approach of Judiciary and Executive to International Law; Post-Independence Practice of India: A Rising Power Approach to International Law; Use and Effectiveness of the Proactive versus Reactive Approaches to Ensure Desired Outcomes; India will continue to avoid the ICJ as a means of dispute settlement; Patience and Persistence: Virtues of Statecraft in the UN Reforms; Permanent Membership of the Security Council: Success Chances are Stronger than Ever Before; Law of the Sea: Reflection of a Growing Hegemonic Power; India will continue to shape and implement the international law of human rights in its own way and pace; International Environmental Law: Tension will continue between the Executive and Judiciary; Show less
Een ambtenaar die wordt vervolgd, loopt ook na vrijspraak het risico dat hij wordt ontslagen. Een burger die een omgevingsvergunning heeft gekregen voor een schuur, kan ermee worden geconfronteerd... Show moreEen ambtenaar die wordt vervolgd, loopt ook na vrijspraak het risico dat hij wordt ontslagen. Een burger die een omgevingsvergunning heeft gekregen voor een schuur, kan ermee worden geconfronteerd dat hij die schuur niet kan bouwen zonder onrechtmatig te handelen jegens zijn buurman. Dit is lastig uit te leggen. Maar hoe gaat een rechter om met een uitspraak van een collega-rechter? Nederland kent vijf hoogste rechterlijke instanties. Daarnaast spelen arresten van het HvJEU en het EHRM een grote rol. Tussen deze instanties bestaat geen hiërarchische relatie. Ondanks dat deze instanties beschikken over een als exclusief bedoelde bevoegdheid, komt het ook regelmatig voor dat meerdere hoogste rechterlijke instanties zich bevoegd achten. In dit proefschrift wordt de verhouding tussen hoogste rechterlijke instanties besproken waarbij een bestuursrechter betrokken is. Hoe komt het dat meerdere rechterlijke instanties bevoegd zijn hetzelfde geschil te beoordelen en wat zou een rechter met uitspraken van andere rechters moeten doen? Komen deze instanties tot dezelfde oordelen over de verbindendheid en interpretatie van algemeen verbindende voorschriften en de vaststelling van feiten? Welke uitgangspunten hanteren zij en leiden deze ook tot het ontstaan van rechtseenheid? Of zijn er verschillen en zijn wijzigingen in het stelsel vereist om tot rechtseenheid te komen? Show less
