U.N. panel takes U.S. to task over Katrina

AP ^ | 7/28/06 | BRADLEY S. KLAPPER,

[SF Republican]

The United States must better protect poor people and African-Americans in natural disasters to avoid problems like those after Hurricane Katrina, a U.N. human rights panel said Friday.

The U.N. Human Rights Committee said poor and black Americans were "disadvantaged" after Katrina, and the U.S. should work harder to ensure that their rights "are fully taken into consideration in the reconstruction plans with regard to access to housing, education and health care."

The United States said federal and Louisiana state authorities were examining many of the issues raised by the committee.

The U.N. panel said it wants to be informed of the results of inquiries into the alleged failure to evacuate inmates from a prison, and into allegations that authorities did not allow New Orleans residents to cross a bridge into Gretna, La.

It offered no further specifics about problems it found with the Katrina response, or possible solutions.

"I think the president and everyone in the United States said that Katrina was something that no one was entirely prepared for and it did raise huge challenges for the United States," said Robert Harris, of the office of the Legal Adviser of the U.S. State Department. "We're looking at a large list of lessons from Katrina and trying to make sure that the next time, God forbid something like that happens, we are better prepared."

The panel of 18 independent experts, which reviews the practices of the 156 countries who have ratified the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, said it was concerned about information that blacks and poor people "were disadvantaged by the rescue and evacuation plans implemented when Hurricane Katrina hit."

Criticism by the panel brings no penalties beyond international scrutiny.

The Katrina findings comprised two paragraphs in a 12-page release of findings that also included recommendations on U.S. policies in the war on terror.

The U.S. mission to the U.N.'s European headquarters in Geneva criticized the committee's examination of many issues it said were outside the scope of its mandate, particularly dealing with the war on terrorism.

But on domestic issues, it said "the committee has made recommendations in matters under its competence, including efforts to address race and sex discrimination, capital punishment, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and voting rights."

The committee also addressed reports of de facto racial segregation in public schools.

[steel_resolve]

You can't make this stuff up, seriously. I don;t seem to hear much about Chinese Authorities harvesting Falun Gong practitioner's organs, or bitching about the horribly racist caste system in India. No, only the US, always the US FOREVER THE US. F#$K THE F#^cking UN.

[HarleyLady27]

Kofi, if I were you, and I'm not, thank goodness, but IF I were, I think with all the theft, rapings, drug smugling that has been going on, on YOUR watch, it might seem very intelligent to 'STFU'........

[M1Tanker]

All the land the UN is on would make nice apartments for New Yorkers and might help lower some local housing costs.

Or New York could use the land to build a super high-rise office building which would inject a heap of money into the local area and expand the economy there.

New York could also just build a huge park for people to enjoy.

The bottom line is, the only time the UN will ever improve free peoples' lives is when it leaves, or even better, ceases to exist.

[M1Tanker]

Yes. The only way the UN ever listens or ceases to exist is when we take their purse away. Of course, until Americans get angry enough, it will not happen. But few out there seem brave enough to actually stop funding the UN.

But, as the the last Axis of evil found out, invoking the true anger of America is not something one wants.

[delphirogatio]

....I'm sorry, was the UN whining again?

[Arabs only 600 years behind us]

Let me add my outrage to this report. This is one of the most pressing "human right" issues of our time, please. Needless to say the timing is suspect.

Now if my fellow freeper's blood pressure can take it, this report cost the US taxpayer $25-50 million. I read in "the UN Gang", every UN report is reprinted in every language known to man, simply so the cronies can skim money off "translator fees" of which YOUR paying a quarter of the bill.

[processing please hold]

But, as the the last Axis of evil found out, invoking the true anger of America is not something one wants.

Keep in mind the '04 elections, of those who voted to support kerry, they also supported a stronger role for the un in our country. Time is quickly running out (in the number sense) for we Americans who see the un for what it really is. We are being over ran and soon to be out numbered by the socialist, leftist who agree with the un.

I would word my response more strongly, but.....

Please: NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts.

I fall into the last 4 words category.

[RDTF]

oh gaaawd

[R.W.Ratikal]

What America's response is to emergency events is none of the U.N.'s business. Butt out!

BTW - It's time we kicked the U.N. out of the U. S. All in favor, say SCAT!!!!!

Beirut Lebanon would be a good place to relocate the U.N.

[ArmstedFragg]

You don't suppose this little report the ACLU slipped them had anything to do with their decision, do you?

http://www.aclu.org/intlhumanrights/gen/25924pub20060620.html

Normally, I'd be ticked-off about this, but since the UN isn't based here and we're not paying for this..... oh.... wait....

[MotleyGirl70]

[theDentist]

Talk about the appropriate politcal cartoon..... good find.

[Bearshouse]

International law is not part of the Constitution of this country, and we don't need a bunch of Third World idiots telling us how to take care of ourselves. Our Soverignty is at stake, and we don't need the U.N. in our internal affairs.


Wonderfully well said.

[Jeffrey_D.]

There are no words to express my thoughts on this piece,



so I guess I have nothing to say ???

[Msgt USMC]

I know the perfect place to "Stick the UN", but, (No profanity, No personal attacks, No racism or violence etc.)

[processing please hold]

Then y'all will definately not like this article.

The Supreme Court and Foreign sources of Law

Or, this one.

Justice Ginsburg on Foreign Law and the U.S. Constitution:

International law creeping into Justice system.

[Bahbah]

I'm going to go with dirtboy's response (see #3). The effing nerve!!!!

[Txsleuth]

LOL....the perfect answer.

[RightWhale]

The UN's 2 cents

Looks like they want a hand in the $200 billion recovery cost funding.

[traditional1]

"Justice Kennedy's majority opinion in Lawrence v. Texas, which declared unconstitutional state laws prohibiting homosexual sodomy, in part, by considering decisions of the European Court of Human Rights"

I know a little about that decision, and the Liberal Justice who made the ridiculous argument citing non-binding considerations he used.

Also, Ginsberg is the worst of the bunch, with her ACLU-based bias and background that she brought to the Bench, and if Bush doesn't have the opportunity to appoint at least one more Scalia or Thomas to the bench (AND the Republicans hold a majority in the Senate and break the illegal filibustering of the Leftists there), then the Constitution may be un-savable for the foreseeable future, as the Liberals will continue to pack the courts and subvert the Constitution with re-interpretations and non-U.S.-based decisions like the one in Lawrence vs. Texas (the striking of the Texas sodomy statute).