Rights and resources

Doing business in a country with a poor human rights record can be costly, thanks to the changing landscape of corporate liability and human rights. Maria Kielmas reports

Suppose you are a US energy company with interests in a country with a doubtful human rights record. You admit that your company operates in a country with a less-than-pristine reputation in the treatment of its citizens. You insist that the government's actions were not instigated by your company and so are not your responsibility. However, the courts could rule otherwise.

"Over the last five years, the idea of holding corporations liable for serious human rights abuses has moved from being a