The international legal order has a contradiction at the core of its operation. There is a differential treatment regarding the protection of property and investments depending on the kind of actors concerned by the taking or limitation of property. Under international investment law, multinational companies cannot easily be expropriated, directly or indirectly, by their host state. When this occurs, multinational companies can claim substantial compensation. By contrast, local communities, which are often themselves adversely affected by multinational companies and international investment law, can be expropriated at the slightest amount of reparation. The broad argument of the paper will be demonstrated by cases taken from foreign direct investment projects in natural resources exploitation in Colombia.
We look forward to welcoming you on July 3-5, 2023 for our Annual Conference entitled "Islands and Ocean: Public Law in a Plural World." The conference will take place at the Victoria University of Wellington, in New Zealand. We will be announcing more details about the conference soon, including financial support to early career and global south scholars!