Seven decades since its recognition in the preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization (1946), the right to health has increasingly attained a prominent position in human rights... Show moreSeven decades since its recognition in the preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization (1946), the right to health has increasingly attained a prominent position in human rights law. Nevertheless, worldwide people, especially those most in need, face serious impediments when it comes to the enjoyment of their right to health. Therefore, despite the absence of worldwide consensus as to its meaning and its various aspects, we need to move from the conception and recognition of the right to health to its actual realization, namely beyond the international formulation of the right to health. This requires a better understanding of the State measures required with the aim of bringing the right to health closer to national realities (e.g., economic austerity etc.)and in the daily lives of individuals. Τhis research aims to examine the national implementation of the right to health and particularly the Greek context as it relates to the right to health. For this reason, the main questions that are analyzed: i. What primary standards derive from the right to health on the basis of human rights law? and ii. Is the right to health being (effectively) implemented in Greece (or not)? Show less
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
The present study aims to cast light on the interpretation of tax treaties by attributing its ordinary meaning to the term ‘resident of a Contracting State’ in Art.4 of the OECD Model... Show moreThe present study aims to cast light on the interpretation of tax treaties by attributing its ordinary meaning to the term ‘resident of a Contracting State’ in Art.4 of the OECD Model Convention on Income and Capital, in good faith, according to the general rule of interpretation under public international law. Moreover, it seeks to analyse and discuss the manner in which the definition of residence contributes to the determination of the object and purpose of tax treaties, and to what extent this definition informs the meaning of abuse from a tax treaty perspective. 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
In pursuit of solutions to China’s inter-regional cross-border insolvency cooperation, the doctoral dissertation provides 10 original recommendations accompanied with comments, which are entitled ... Show moreIn pursuit of solutions to China’s inter-regional cross-border insolvency cooperation, the doctoral dissertation provides 10 original recommendations accompanied with comments, which are entitled “CICIA”. 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
Het recht van de Europese Unie beïnvloedt direct en indirect de reikwijdte van strafrechtelijke aansprakelijkheid in Nederland. Die beïnvloeding heeft betekenis voor het materieelrechtelijk... Show moreHet recht van de Europese Unie beïnvloedt direct en indirect de reikwijdte van strafrechtelijke aansprakelijkheid in Nederland. Die beïnvloeding heeft betekenis voor het materieelrechtelijk legaliteitsbeginsel. In dit boek wordt onderzocht hoe het legaliteitsbeginsel invulling krijgt in de context van het meerlagige Europees strafrecht en wat de implicaties van die invulling zijn voor het waarborgen van rechtszekerheid en machtsverdeling. Het boek bevat daartoe een analyse van de jurisprudentie van het Hof van Justitie over de deelnormen van het legaliteitsbeginsel en van de verplichtingen voor de Europese en Nederlandse wetgever en rechter die het Hof van Justitie afleidt uit die deelnormen. In het licht daarvan wordt onderzocht op welke wijze de Nederlandse wetgever en rechter invulling geven aan het legaliteitsbeginsel in het Europees strafrecht. Show less
This thesis collects six empirical studies regarding the developments of social assistance benefits, their determinants and the impact of the benefit changes on income polarization. The... Show more This thesis collects six empirical studies regarding the developments of social assistance benefits, their determinants and the impact of the benefit changes on income polarization. The first study suggests that the real minimum income benefit levels increased in many OECD countries whilst minimum income replacement rates declined on average. The increased benefit levels reflect policy changes while the declined replacement rates do not reflect benefit cuts but larger wage increases. The second study shows that globalization, soaring levels of unemployment and trade unions have triggered social assistance and minimum income benefit reforms. The third study indicates that the Lisbon Strategy has been positively associated with minimum income benefit developments since 2005. The findings in the fourth study suggest that in China, minimum income benefit programs vary considerably across regions and the benefit generosity has been increasing over the decade although still at low levels in an international perspective. The fifth and sixth studies focus on the indicator of income polarization to analyze income distribution. The fifth study shows that income polarization is stable in European countries and Europe as a whole. The sixth study further indicates that tax-benefit systems are essential in reducing initial market income polarization. Show less
In recent decades, the Netherlands’ struggle with multiculturalism has caused an upsurge in public interest in the relationship between state and religion.The Dutch political tradition... Show more In recent decades, the Netherlands’ struggle with multiculturalism has caused an upsurge in public interest in the relationship between state and religion.The Dutch political tradition plays a central role in this book because the Netherlands developed a unique method of bridging seemingly irreconcilable religious differences: pacification. since the Batavian Revolution, the development of the Dutch state has been focused on democracy, upholding fundamental rights, and the separation of church and state that was supposed to turn the Netherlands into a religiously neutral state. In the second half of the twentieth century, the appearance of new religions on the Dutch stage, most notably Islam, has had a significant impact on the Netherlands’ national identity.the Dutch are now asking, should this religious friction be dealt with? How absolute is freedom of expression? Can religious ideas be criticized without restriction? The ability to deal with criticism is a crucial component of liberal democracy and freedom of speech. In facing this new religious pressure, the Dutch, like the rest of Europe, must once again reach for the system that best protects these essential principles: the religiously neutral state. Show less
Contractual Capacity in Private International Law contains a wide comparative study of reference rules in respect of the competence of a natural person to create rights and duties by... Show more Contractual Capacity in Private International Law contains a wide comparative study of reference rules in respect of the competence of a natural person to create rights and duties by concluding a contract with another (natural or juristic) person. In many common-law and mixed jurisdictions the legal position in this regard is remarkably unclear; it is nevertheless of significant practical importance. Sixty-five legal systems are investigated, from the civil-law, common-law and the mixed civil/common-law tradition, as located in Africa, Australasia, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, North America and South America, together with all relevant regional, supranational and international instruments. The study leads to a detailed recommendation, which is presented in both a narrative and a codified form, in respect of the law that should govern contractual capacity. The proposed rules may be employed in the judicial interpretation, supplementation and development of the norm complex of private international law, particularly in common-law and mixed jurisdictions. They may also be considered for the purposes of future national, regional, supranational and international instruments. Show less
In ons land gebeuren regelmatig rampen en incidenten, die door derden zijn veroorzaakt. Denk aan de vuurwerkramp in Enschede, de legionella-uitbraak in Bovenkarspel of het schietincident in Alphen... Show moreIn ons land gebeuren regelmatig rampen en incidenten, die door derden zijn veroorzaakt. Denk aan de vuurwerkramp in Enschede, de legionella-uitbraak in Bovenkarspel of het schietincident in Alphen aan de Rijn. In die gevallen functioneert het aansprakelijkheidsrecht niet naar behoren en krijgen slachtoffers hun schade niet of pas veel later vergoed. De overheid gaat daarom in sommige gevallen over tot de oprichting van rampenfondsen. De auteur onderzoekt welke rol rampenfondsen in Nederland kunnen hebben bij de afwikkeling van rampschade in het aansprakelijkheidsrecht. Zij gebruikt daartoe het perspectief van het aansprakelijkheidsrecht en het Europees Verdrag voor de Rechten van de Mens. In dit verdrag vindt zij aanknopingspunten voor een plicht van de overheid tot oprichting van rampenfondsen. Het onderzoek mondt uit in aanbevelingen voor de inrichting van rampenfondsen gebaseerd op ervaringen met fondsen uit het verleden. Daarnaast worden de contouren geschetst van een wetsvoorstel voor de oprichting van een structureel rampenfonds. Show less
Geen verplichting tot schadevergoeding bestaat, wanneer de geschonden norm niet strekt tot bescherming tegen de schade zoals de benadeelde die heeft geleden (artikel 6:163 BW). Maar hoe zou de... Show moreGeen verplichting tot schadevergoeding bestaat, wanneer de geschonden norm niet strekt tot bescherming tegen de schade zoals de benadeelde die heeft geleden (artikel 6:163 BW). Maar hoe zou de rechter de relativiteit van een wettelijke norm moeten vaststellen? Dit proefschrift is een poging een samenhangende visie te ontwikkelen op de definitie en ratio van het relativiteitsvereiste en de toets aan dit vereiste bij wettelijke normen. Sluitstuk van deze visie is een model voor deze toets. Daarin staat het institutionele perspectief van de legitimiteit van het relativiteitsoordeel in het licht van de verhouding van de rechter tot de wetgever voorop. Aan de vraag in welke gevallen de rechter zou moeten oordelen dat wel of juist niet aan het relativiteitsvereiste is voldaan, gaat immers de vraag vooraf of en in hoeverre het aan hem is om dat te bepalen of aan de wetgever. Met dit model als ijkpunt wordt vervolgens onderzocht of de kritiek in de literatuur op de rechtspraak van de Hoge Raad terecht is en deze bijstelling behoeft, of dat de rechter juist doet wat van hem mag worden verwacht. Ook de rechtspraak van de Afdeling, in zaken van besluitenaansprakelijkheid, komt daarbij aan bod. Show less
In using a fundamentally different approach to theory formation, a new Model of Motivation is presented and tested through empirical research in various studies. Motivation is assumed to evolve... Show moreIn using a fundamentally different approach to theory formation, a new Model of Motivation is presented and tested through empirical research in various studies. Motivation is assumed to evolve around an objective and to proceed in twenty-four consecutive ‘stages’ that can be organized according to eight distinct groups or 'phases'. In covering current literature, the Model appears to provide a comprehensive conceptual framework for classification of current theories on human motivation. In empirical research, a first confirmation is found for constructs, based on the Model, that appear to capture the process of motivation. In making a distinction between the process of motivation and a so-called ‘process of interference’ aimed at addressing motivation, further confirmation is obtained for critical determinants of interference, including conditions, competencies and instruments, that appear to play an essential role in management of motivation. In an overview of implications, so-called ‘mechanisms of coping’ and ‘mechanisms of collective coping’ are introduced and observed on their potential impact on society 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
During the Second World War the Dutch government in exile in London had enacted Decrees under Subjective (unwritten) State Emergency Law. In 1943 and 1944 a set of Decrees were established... Show more During the Second World War the Dutch government in exile in London had enacted Decrees under Subjective (unwritten) State Emergency Law. In 1943 and 1944 a set of Decrees were established to be able to sentence people who had committed war related crimes, international war crimes or had collaborated with the German occupiers of the Netherlands. Special Criminal Courts and a Special Court of Cassation were to be installed to sentence war related crimes and international war crimes. By the beginning of 1946 all chambers were functioning. In this study all the sentences by the Groningen Chamber of the Special Court Leeuwarden and Cassation of the Groningen cases are analysed and valued Apart from the analysis and valuation of the sentences of the Groningen all the Decrees on special jurisdiction and the related Acts, Laws and Decrees are described. Furthermore, all the actors in the Special jurisdiction are extensively described. The conclusion of this study is that the Chamber Groningen and the Special Court of Cassation have sentenced fairly and the sentences were proportionate. In view of the problems identified in this study it would be wise to examine the current acts on state emergency and punishment after a war. Show less
