Synopses & Reviews
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an increasing political role on the international scene, and their position in relation to international law is generally regarded as important but informal. Their actual legal status has not been the subject of much investigation. This book examines the legal status of NGOs in different fields of international law, with emphasis on human rights law. The rights, obligations, locus standi and consultative status of NGOs are explored by means of a thorough examination of international legal rules and practices. .
Review
"Lindblom's treatise advances our understanding of NGO roles in promoting better international decision making and accountability." - Steve Charnovitz, On the Board of Editors, The American Journal of International Law
Synopsis
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an increasing political role on the international scene, and their position in relation to international law is generally regarded as important but informal. Their actual legal status has not been the subject of much investigation. This book examines the legal status of NGOs in different fields of international law, with emphasis on human rights law. The rights, obligations, locus standi and consultative status of NGOs are explored by means of a thorough examination of international legal rules and practices. .
Synopsis
The book explores these possibilities for the participation of NGOs in international law.
Synopsis
Even when governments have no democratic basis, they are regarded as the sole representatives of their populations on the international plane and take important decisions on their behalf. It is therefore important that other voices can be heard in international fora alongside governments. NGOs have an increasingly important legal and political role and use several different avenues for their work, such as lodging cases before international courts and other bodies and participating in international meetings and conferences. This book explores these possibilities for the participation of NGOs in international law.
About the Author
Anna-Karin Lindblom of the Swedish Ministry of Justice is Special Adviser and Head of Group on in human rights issues with the Division for Demoncratic Issues.
Table of Contents
1. The main issues and their context; 2. Historical and conceptual background; 3. International legal theory and non-state actors; 4. Rights and obligations; 5. Standing before international judicial and quasi-judicial bodies; 6. Non-party participation before judicial and quasi-judicial bodies; 7. Co-operation with inter-governmental organisations; 8. NGO participation in international conferences; 9. Agreements with states and inter-governmental organisations; 10. Summary and concluding remarks.