Human Rights Magazine
E-Mails Are Private Unless There's Consent
Companies that retrieve, inspect or disclose employees' e-mail without their permission could be liable for severe monetary damages under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, according to principles laid down in a recent federal court of appeals decision.
By Kenneth R. Shear
Politics, Race and a Little Rythm & Blues
Jerry Butler is known as "the Iceman" to some; as a commissioner in Cook County, Illinois, to others; and as a civil rights activist to all who meet him. This profile take a look a how race and politics blend to make one interesting politician.
by Rekha Balu and Sara Wood
Living on Strange Fruit
When racism defines your life, you fight back by making sure no one forgets. That's what the goal is for 81-year-old James Cameron, founder of America's Black Holocaust Museum, the only museum of its kind in the U.S. This elder statesman, once the victim of a lynch mob, has strong comments to make about the status of race relations in America today.
Interview with James Cameron by Vicki Quade
Bright Spots, Small Victories
When the 104th Congress began its first session, it appeared to be a juggernaut, intent on changing the fabric of American life. Now, almost one year later, has the 104th lived up to its reputation? For the most part, yes. But in a few instances, it has been slowed. And in some important cases, it has been steered away from the most disastrous course.
By Nancy K. Bannon
The Reality of LSC Cutbacks
Profile of a typical office funded by the Legal Services Corporation and what happens when that money is severely cut. This article decribes life at Legal Services of Arkansas, which has suffered a 30 percent cutback in federal funding.
By Tena Jamison Lee
Disabled Kids Have the Right to Learn
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was enacted in 1975 in response to broad concern that children with disabilities needed, but often did not receive, appropriate education in the public schools. The Congress will consider IDEA reauthorization this year or next. At that time, Congress may consider amendments that would weaken or eliminate some of its most important protections.
Why Congress Should Protect Health Records
Federal legislation is needed to protect the privacy of personally identifiable health information. Such legislation should incorporate the fundamental fair information practice principles of providing individuals with access to their own records; requiring consent to disclosures, with few exceptions; providing strong enforcement mechanisms and severe penalties for violation of the law; and limiting law enforcement access.
Twice a Victim: Battered Women and Insurance
Family violence is a public health problem that crosses boundaries of age, class or race. Yet many women, out of feelings of helplessness, shame or embarrassment, don't seek help. Now women who do seek medical help are finding it difficult to get insurance, once insurers learn of the abuse.
By Deborah L. Shelton
Should We Have a Permanent War Crimes Court?
With the indictments of several Serb leaders and a number of Croats, it appears that the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is showing the beginning signs of vindication for the past years of suffering by the people of Bosnia. At the same time, the United Nations is at least discussing the idea of creating a permanent international criminal court, and all eyes are on the tribunal to see how such a court would operate.
By Sara Wood
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Published quarterly by ABA Publishing, Human Rights covers a wide range of topics in the human and civil rights arena. While the subscription is free of charge for Section members, individual subscriptions may be purchased for $18 by calling the American Bar Association Service Center at 1-800-285-2221. Additional annual subscriptions for Section members are $3 each.
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