Thinking about violence

by Henry Jones, Associate Professor in International Law, Durham Law School

This blog considers different forms and justifications for violence, ultimately supporting non-violence. It is part of the Extractive Industry and Foreign Security Network blog series.

What is violence? Is it ever justified? Is it inevitable? Who does violence to whom? The question of violence is a major theme of 20th century political theory. Rosa Luxemborg described violent struggle as the place where the proletariat become human beings.[1]   In the 21st century, the place of violence is much more ambiguous. Partly because the violence of the state has become so much more total and all-pervasive and partly because the balance of arms is so unequal. This blog considers different forms and justifications for violence, ultimately agreeing with proposals for a radical non-violence. (more…)

UK tort law on human rights abuses in supply chains: The Dyson Litigation

by Chris Riley, Reader in Commercial Law at Durham Law School, and Irene-marié Esser, Professor of Corporate Law and Governance in the School of Law, University of Glasgow

A Dyson handheld vacuum—emphasis on logo. Daniel Foster, CC BY-NC 2.0

This blog considers the extent to which UK courts are willing to adjudicate upon harms committed overseas in connection with UK company supply chains. This blog is part of the Extractive Industry and Foreign Security Network blog series.

Introduction

Recent years have seen a steady stream of litigation brought against UK parent companies for the environmental harm and human rights abuses caused by their overseas subsidiaries.  This blog considers the Court of Appeal decision of Limbu v Dyson Technology Ltd, which is significant in providing new information on how UK courts treat tortious wrongdoing in UK company supply chains. (more…)

A Postcolonial Critique of Kadie Kalma v African Minerals Ltd

by Dr Jane Rooney, Associate Professor in International Law at Durham Law School

This blog post is a post-colonial critique of the narrative produced by Judge Turner in the High Court decision of Kadie Kalma v African Minerals Ltd that dismantles the distance between England and Sierra Leone. This blog is part of the Extractive Industry and Foreign Security Network blog series. (more…)