Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

Project on Public Finance and Human Rights

The Project on Public Finance and Human Rights isÌýa joint initiative between the University of Pretoria’s , the University of Connecticut’s , and Â鶹ÊÓƵ Washington College of Law'sÌýCenter for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law.ÌýThe Project supports research and scholarship on the the intersections between human rights and central banking, international financial regulation, development finance, and sovereign debt.Ìý The Project also supports a network of scholars, practitioners, civil society activists, and policy makers interested in reexamining the relationship between all aspects of public finance, human rights, and environmental and social sustainability.Ìý The Project hosts public roundtables, invitation-only workshops, and working group meetings designed to convene subject matter experts to interrogate issues, concepts, and ideas arising in this groundbreaking new area of study.

Project Partners

People

Image Caption

Roundtable Discussion on "What Role Should Central Banks Play in DealingÌýwith Environmental and Social Challenges like Climate Change and Inequality?"

October 22, 2021

Image Caption

A presentation and discussion on the Financial Services Human Rights Benchmark by: David Kinley (University of Sydney Law School)Ìýand Kym Sheehan, with a response by: Ariel Meyerstein

September 23, 2021

Image Caption

"The Financial Services Human Rights Benchmark Project and its Potential Applicability to South Africa's Financial Sector"

September 15, 2021

Image Caption

"Unavoidable Power and Unaccountable Impacts? The Roles and Responsibilities of Central Banks in Global Economic Governance"

October 22, 2020

Ìý

  • Online workshop on central banks and international human rights
    • October 1, 2020
  • Expert Reference Group meeting on central banks and human rights responsibilitiesÌý
    • March 27, 2019
  • Expert Working Group on international finance and human rights
    • April 17, 2017

Publications

Publication This policy brief discusses the implications of this development and recommends standards that should be used to guide central banks in their global governance activities.
Publication This article examines the use of creditor committees in the current era of sovereign debt, focusing on factors that influence the conduct of debtors and their creditors vis-à-vis each other. Drawing on our observations, we consider the potential value and limitations of creditor committees in the context of sovereign debt governance.
Publication This essay briefly documents the actions taken by the Fed and the basis for its unique influence in the global financial system.
Publication Because the MDBs’ projects are similar to those undertaken by private financial institutions and contractors, understanding how MDBs deal with the human rights issues that arise in their operations can help deepen our understanding of the human rights responsibilities of these other actors, thereby adding a useful input to the broader ‘business and human rights’ debate to which this volume is dedicated.
Publication This paper is a contribution to a book exploring how hard and soft international law are used in advocating for social change.
Publication This article briefly describes how central banks have human rights responsibilities. Second, it describes how both their monetary and financial operations have unavoidable human rights impacts, which need to be incorporated into their decision making and governance procedures.
Publication This article argues that international standard setting bodies should adopt a human rights approach to standard setting. The benefits of doing so will exceed the costs.
Publication This paper’s hypothesis is that the international standard setting bodies (SSBs) could improve the quality of their international standards by incorporating a human rights analysis.
Publication This article examines the regulation of international financial institutions under the Dodd-Frank Act. It also outlines a global governance framework based on international comity to address the unique and wide-ranging implications of governments in the market.