Litigation against MNCs: A Medium for Accountability for Human Rights Violations in theMining Industry

Abstract

Lawsuits against multinational corporations (MNCs) are one of the means to hold companies
accountable for violations of human rights in sectors like mining, where the consequences on the
environment and local communities are often severe. Notwithstanding the massive financial power of
large multinational firms, lawsuits offer a means of seeking justice, righting wrongs, and defending
human rights standards. Numerous mining operations take place in countries with weak regulatory
frameworks or where the government may be complicit in human rights abuses such as forced
displacement, child labour, and environmental damage. In some cases, litigation may be heard under
the jurisdiction of the parent company's native country's courts while it may be difficult to institute legal
action against companies that committed such wrongful acts. This could compel the multinational
corporation to take responsibility for its foreign operations. Therefore, this article discusses litigation
against MNCs as an important tool for corporate accountability in the mining industry and instances
MNCs have been accused of violating human rights in the US, UK, and Nigeria. The analysis takes into
account the achievements as well as its shortcomings in addressing the violations. This research also
examined several barriers to lawsuits against corporations. They have the power to keep victims from
getting justice for alleged wrongdoing and human rights abuses by businesses. It states strategies to
strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness of litigation against MNCs and businesses.