Human rights norms for a globalized world: the Maastricht principles on extraterritorial obligations of states in the area of economic, social and cultural rights

The Maastricht Principles on Extraterritorial Obligations of States in the area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights were adopted on 28 September 2011 by leading experts in international law and human rights. The Maastricht Principles enunciate the parameters within which extraterritorial obligations must be discharged. Economic globalization fosters an accountability gap and has made evident an imbalance between the scope of influence of states and the way in which their legal responsibility is defined. Still, the extraterritorial dimensions of economic and social rights have been approached by courts and human rights expert bodies in a largely ad hoc fashion. By authoritatively bringing together the requirements of international human rights law in this fast-evolving area, the Principles should contribute to reconciling the human rights duties of states with globalization.