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5 - The Direct Obligations Model

from Part I - Legal Doctrinal Models for Addressing the Substantive Obligations of Non-State Actors for Fundamental Rights

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2021

David Bilchitz
Affiliation:
University of Johannesburg
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Summary

This chapter examines the ‘direct obligations’ model which accepts that fundamental rights can impose legally binding obligations upon non-state actors. After briefly outlining the contours of this model, and its justification, I consider an important challenge, namely, whether recognising the obligations of non-state actors entails they have fundamental rights. At the international level, I consider the ‘sphere of influence’ approach and the ‘due diligence’ approach (enshrined in the UNGPs). I argue that the latter has an important normative gap at its core: understanding the impacts of a business on rights does not automatically translate into a conception of its obligations. The last part of this chapter considers two jurisdictions – South Africa and Colombia - and the principles they utilize to determine the direct obligations of non-state actors. Neither jurisdiction has articulated a clear legal analytical framework but what emerges is similar to the other models analysed and can form the building blocks of the multi-factoral approach developed in the following chapters.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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  • The Direct Obligations Model
  • David Bilchitz, University of Johannesburg
  • Book: Fundamental Rights and the Legal Obligations of Business
  • Online publication: 29 October 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108895224.007
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  • The Direct Obligations Model
  • David Bilchitz, University of Johannesburg
  • Book: Fundamental Rights and the Legal Obligations of Business
  • Online publication: 29 October 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108895224.007
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • The Direct Obligations Model
  • David Bilchitz, University of Johannesburg
  • Book: Fundamental Rights and the Legal Obligations of Business
  • Online publication: 29 October 2021
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108895224.007
Available formats
×