Unternehmerische Haftung in transnationalen Menschenrechtsfällen

Civil proceedings in Germany against the companies KiK and RWE underline the increasing importance of human rights litigation in German law. This thesis examines the liability of transnational corporations in German civil law in human rights violations caused by their subsidiaries and by entities in their supply chain. Firstly, the applicable law in such cases has to be determined. Furthermore, the thesis illustrates the relevant rules in German civil law (especially in tort and company law) that may form a basis for compensation claims by alien victims. One of the study’s main topics is determining the relevant duties of care, especially the impact of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights on fulfilling this task. Furthermore, the thesis highlights corporations’ liability concerning public statements which relate to their compliance with human rights.