International treaties on corruption: a potential path to extraterritorially prosecute serious violations of human rights committed by transnational companies

Abstract

Given the difficulties to prosecute serious violations of human rights amounting to international core crimes when there are transnational companies involved in their commission, punishing them as crimes of corruption merits consideration. International treaties in this field provide elements to defend this stance. Besides, this path provides some advantages, particularly the facilitation of their extraterritorial prosecution. However, although a potentially useful strategy, it also presents significant drawbacks.