Fall 2006 - Natural Disasters and the Rule of Law

Featured

Environment

Katrina "Survivors" versus "Internally Displaced Persons": More Than Mere Semantics

by Hon. Cynthia Diane Stephens and Jerome Reide

The label attached to the storm's victims has legal consequences for their treatment and the rights they may assert. Identifying them as "internally displaced persons" under international law, rather than "survivors," will ensure their legal rights and protections.

Environment

One Heckuva Snafu: The Environmental Justice Implications of Katrina

by Leslie G. Fields

Although Hurrican Katrina was a force of nature, its aftermath was a man-made disaster. Man-made social inequities contributed to environmental justice implications that magnified this disaster.

Environment

Truth, Accountability, and Hurricane Katrina

by John Payton

A Truth Commission on Katrina would enable the United States to learn from the experience and prevent a governmental and nongovernmental default like it from occurring again.

Environment

Indigent Defense in New Orleans: Better Than Mere Recovery

by Stephen I. Singer

Hurrican Katrina and its aftereffects destroyed the New Orleans indigent defense system, which was widely known to be one of the worst in the nation. Despite resistance, the New Orleans Public Defender's Office is on track to be better than it was before the storm.

Environment

Human Rights and Natural Disaster: The Indian Ocean Tsunami

Hope Lewis

The Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 was one of the worst natural disasters in recorded human history, directly affecting fourteen countries. It marked a turning point for the global human rights movement.

Environment

Decreasing Barriers to Aid in Global Emergencies

by Mona Reide

Humanitarian relief from recent natural disasters met with many barriers, many of which are still present. Modernization and alignment of disaster relief policies are overdue, including an international protocol for rapid clearance of relief supplies.

Environment

From New Orleans's Flooded Streets: Lawyers Who Made a Difference

by Sarah Turberville

Very few thought to come to the aid of those housed in the Orleans Parrish Prison, Templeman jail building, or House of Detention in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck. Five of the few who helped are profiled.

Environment

Human Rights Heroes: Against the Tide—Katrina Exposes Racial Divide

by Stephen J. Wermiel

Some have been brave enough to blame the slow disaster response and continued lack of progress in New Orleans on the U.S. racial divide.

Renew Your ABA Membership

Fall 2006 - Natural Disasters and the Rule of Law

Introduction: When Human Rights Are Swept Away

Featured

Katrina "Survivors" versus "Internally Displaced Persons": More Than Mere Semantics

One Heckuva Snafu: The Environmental Justice Implications of Katrina

Truth, Accountability, and Hurricane Katrina

Indigent Defense in New Orleans: Better Than Mere Recovery

Human Rights and Natural Disaster: The Indian Ocean Tsunami

Decreasing Barriers to Aid in Global Emergencies

From New Orleans's Flooded Streets: Lawyers Who Made a Difference

Human Rights Heroes: Against the Tide—Katrina Exposes Racial Divide

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Renew Your ABA Membership

American Bar Association TM American Bar Association

Fall 2006 - Natural Disasters and the Rule of Law

Introduction: When Human Rights Are Swept Away

Featured

Katrina "Survivors" versus "Internally Displaced Persons": More Than Mere Semantics

One Heckuva Snafu: The Environmental Justice Implications of Katrina

Truth, Accountability, and Hurricane Katrina

Indigent Defense in New Orleans: Better Than Mere Recovery

Human Rights and Natural Disaster: The Indian Ocean Tsunami

Decreasing Barriers to Aid in Global Emergencies

From New Orleans's Flooded Streets: Lawyers Who Made a Difference

Human Rights Heroes: Against the Tide—Katrina Exposes Racial Divide

ABA Resources

The ABA

Connect