Author: Ernst-Ulrich Petersmann, Robert Howse and Philip Alston

Title: Trade and Human Rights: An Exchange

The conflict, real or alleged, between the disciplines of free trade and the normativity of fundamental human rights is a constant theme in academic and policy reflection on Globalization in general and the WTO in particular. At issue is not simply (or only) potential conflicts of positive law obligations but deeper tensions concerning the value systems on which the two regimes of trade and human rights are based.

This symposium was prompted by the important article of Ulrich Petersmann, 'Time for Integrating Human Rights into the Law of Worldwide Organizations. Lessons from European Integration Law for Global Integration Law', published first as Jean Monnet Paper No 7/01 (subsequently published in the European Journal of International Law).

The Petersmann piece has drawn a response from both Professor Howse and Professor Alston. The last word goes to Petersmanns's spirited rejoinder.

JHHW

Download:

1. Ulrich Petersmann

Time for Integrating Human Rights into the Law of Worldwide Organizations. Lessons from European Integration Law for Global Integration Law
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2. Robert Howse

Human Rights in the WTO: Whose Rights, What Humanity? - Comment on Petersmann
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3. Philip Alston

Resisting the Merger and Acquisition of Human Rights by Trade Law: A Reply to Petersmann
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4. Ernst-Ulrich Petersmann

Taking Human Dignity, Poverty and Empowerment of Individuals More Seriously: Rejoinder to Alston
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