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A Human Rights-based Approach to Disaster Displacement in the Asia-Pacific

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2015

Bridget LEWIS Open the ORCID record for Bridget LEWIS [Opens in a new window]  and
Rowena MAGUIRE
Bridget LEWIS
Affiliation:
Queensland University of Technology, Australiab.lewis@qut.edu.au
Rowena MAGUIRE
Affiliation:
Queensland University of Technology, Australiar.maguire@qut.edu.au
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Abstract

This paper analyzes the application of rights-based approaches to disaster displacement in the Asia-Pacific region in order to assess whether the current framework is sufficient to protect the rights of internally displaced persons. It identifies that disaster-induced displacement is increasingly prevalent in the region and that economic and social conditions in many countries mean that the impact of displacement is often prolonged and more severe. The paper identifies the relevant human rights principles which apply in the context of disaster-induced displacement and examines their implementation in a number of soft-law instruments. While it identifies shortcomings in implementation and enforcement, the paper concludes that a rights-based approach could be enhanced by greater engagement with existing human rights treaties and greater implementation of soft-law principles, and that no new instrument is required.

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Articles
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Asian Journal of International Law , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , July 2016 , pp. 326 - 352
Copyright
© Asian Journal of International Law 2015 

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Footnotes

*

Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

**

Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. The authors wish to acknowledge the research assistance of Gail Shearer and thank an anonymous reviewer for the very helpful comments on a previous draft. All remaining errors or inadequacies are our own.

References

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32. See supra note 21 at 14.

33. Ibid.

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54. ICCPR, supra note 41 at art. 9; CRPD, supra note 46 at art. 14; CERD, supra note 45 at art. 5.

55. ICCPR, supra note 41 at art. 12; CEDAW, supra note 44 at art 15; CERD, supra note 45 at art. 5; CRPD, supra note 46 at art. 18.

56. Guiding Principles, supra note 7 at Guiding Principles 6–7.

57. Ibid., at Guiding Principle 14.

58. Ibid., at Guiding Principle 28.

59. ICCPR, supra note 41 at art. 9.

60. Kälin, supra note 47 at 17–18.

61. Guiding Principles, supra note 7 at Guiding Principle 21.

62. Kälin, supra note 47 at 24.

63. Ibid., at 18.

64. Guiding Principles, supra note 7 at Guiding Principle 17.

65. Kälin, supra note 47 at 19.

66. ICESCR, supra note 42 at art. 10; Guiding Principles, supra note 7 at Guiding Principle 23.

67. Kälin, supra note 47 at 19.

68. ICCPR, supra note 41 at art. 19; Guiding Principles, supra note 7 at Guiding Principle 18.

69. ICCPR, supra note 41 at art. 25; Guiding Principles, supra note 7 at Guiding Principle 22.

70. Guiding Principles, supra note 7 at Guiding Principle 28; Lewis, supra note 48.

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94. Ibid., at art. 1.6

95. Ibid., at A.4.1.

96. Ibid., at A.4.5.

97. Ibid., at B.1.3.

98. Ibid., at D.2.2.

99. Ibid., at D.2.3.

100. Strengthening the Effectiveness and Coordination of International Urban Search and Rescue Assistance, GA Res 57/150, UN Doc. A/RES/57/150 (2002) which reaffirms Resolution 46/182 of 1991; Measures to Expedite International Relief of 1977; Hyogo Framework for Action of 2005.

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102. Ibid., at 4–5.

103. Ibid.

104. Ibid., at 4(a).

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109. Ibid., at 97.

110. Ibid., at 93.

111. Ibid., at 94.

112. Ibid.

113. Ibid.

114. Ibid.

115. Ibid., at 93.

116. Ibid., at 96.

117. Ibid., at 95–6.

118. Ibid.

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