Establishing a Full 'Cycle of Protection' for Disaster Victims: Preparedness, Response and Recovery According to Regional and International Human Rights Supervisory Bodies
Tilburg Law Review, 18(2), pp. 106-132, 2013
University of Groningen Faculty of Law Research Paper 2014-12
27 Pages Posted: 16 Aug 2014 Last revised: 21 Apr 2020
Date Written: June 18, 2013
Abstract
This article analyses in a comprehensive manner the work currently carried out by regional and international human rights supervisory bodies in the field of disaster management, being cognizant of the fact that the past decade has seen an increased international concern for the adequate protection of persons affected by disasters. Taking on board suggestions by Walter Kälin that effective disaster management encompasses three distinct phases, i.e. preparedness, response and recovery, jointly constituting a full 'cycle of protection', this paper analyzes the pronouncements of bodies specifically against this backdrop. The article argues that human rights bodies have already started to engage in clarifying human rights obligations in all these phases, which is important because our current improved understandings of the (man-made) causes and consequences of disasters, including any pre-existing vulnerabilities that can exacerbate impacts, might require a more holistic approach to managing disaster settings generally, including from a perspective of human rights.
Note: Full paper available from publisher.
Keywords: human rights, disasters, European Court of Human Rights, preparedness, disaster response, disaster recovery, recovery
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