ABSTRACT
The populations of resource-rich States are often vulnerable to severe human rights abuses. The adversities experienced by these communities do not solely emanate from the operations of States and their agents, but increasingly stem from the activities of so-called ‘non-State actors’. Two of the most notable are perhaps multinational enterprises (MNEs) and non-State armed groups.1 The pattern of negative consequences arising from the intersection of these entities is replicated across the developing world, evidenced by instances of protracted internal armed conflict, torture and threats to physical security, pervasive sexual violence, as well as the recruitment of child soldiers.2 In addition, these actors have contributed to rising levels of poverty, environmental degradation and poor labour standards, often leading to widespread ill health.3 Despite the diversity in the motives and goals of these entities, as well as the clear disparity in their
reflect their broad terminological classification as ‘non-State actors’. This binary categorisation makes the simple distinction between those entities that are sovereign States – the traditional addressees of international legal obligations – and those that are not.4
