Human Rights and International Trade

Economic globalization and respect for human rights are both highly topical issues. In theory, more trade should increase economic welfare and protection of human rights should ensure individual dignity. Recently, however, tension has arisen between these two areas. Does the World Trade Organization prevent countries from providing essential medicines to their people? Is it fair to accord the benefits of trade subject to a clean human rights record?

This book examines the theoretical framework of the interaction between the disciplines of international trade law and human rights. The interaction is the explored through seven case studies, ranging from freedom of expression and anti-trust rules, to the fight against trade in conflict diamonds and the UN's new convention on tobacco control.

Thomas Cottier is Managing Director of the World Trade Institute, Bern; and Professor of European and International Economic Law at the University of Bern, Switzerland. Joost Pauwelyn is Associate Professor of Law at Duke University School of Law. Elisabeth Bürgi is an attorney at law, and a researcher at the World Trade Institute, Bern and at the Institute of European and International Economic Law of the University of Bern, Switzerland.