To demand government attention to human rights violations in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Roxanna Altholz, clinical lecturer in residence at Boalt’s International Human Rights Law Clinic, will appear before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and at a legislative briefing in Washington, D.C., on March 3. The historic hearing and briefing focus on the continuing humanitarian crisis experienced by African American and immigrant/refugee communities living and working in the Gulf Coast region. Among the featured presenters are hurricane survivors who will detail shortcomings and continued failings in the government’s response to the enduring devastation. It is the hope of Boalt leaders, Altholz and law clinic Director Laurel Fletcher that the first-hand testimony before human rights commissioners will result in a formal investigation of human rights violations in the Gulf Coast region and a report articulating measures that will be taken by federal, state and local governments to bring their practices in line with international human rights standards.
Read the press release