Implementing public international law effectively : towards conceptualizing a steering of business activities

The article considers initiatives to regulate disarmament focusing on an indirect component of peace. Taking chosen public international law conventions on disarmament into account, it explores ways to deal with and prevent the risk of adverse impact of business activities on human rights. It concentrates on measures to be adopted initially and which in effect will lead to disarmament, which is the investments in the production of banned weapons. Indeed, investment decisions and investment activities are the primary source rendering their production possible. The issue of steering investment decisions and investment activities belongs to the broader corporate governance debate. Within that debate, the delineation of a concept of socially responsible investment, in particular, regarding environmental, social, and governance aspects, including human rights and its implementation, is being given increasing focus and legitimacy. This article assesses existing means to steer corporate investment activities. In order to move forward in terms of ensuring compliance, it focuses on the conceptualization of ways to harness the power of businesses and investors and to enroll them.