Investment Agreements and Human Rights
A training for government officials and civil servants in Iraq
first published 16 December 2008
Iraq is in the process of making key decisions about its laws, institutions and economy, all of which have a bearing on human rights. Linking all these issues are investment agreements signed between companies and governments that fix the terms and conditions under which a company builds and operates a proposed project in a country, such a dam or an oil pipeline.
The Corner House and other groups were invited to carry out a training session in Erbil to assist Iraqi government officials and civil servants in understanding the principles of human rights and Iraq's international obligations in relation to investment agreements. Participants examined the major types of investment agreements prevalent today, including multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, and discussed both damaging provisions and best practice elements.
The groups presented a powerpoint on the main issues and compiled a handout with more information.