Human rights in the face of disaster - to what extent do member states have a positive obligation under the European Convention on Human Rights with regard to natural disasters?

Abstract

This thesis will look at how the European Convention on Human and the European Court of Human Rights address natural disasters within member states. On several occasions, the Court has had to consider the human rights implications caused by natural disasters, and the trend does not seem to decrease. This thesis will examine how natural disasters can infringe upon the fundamental rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights and how the European Court of Human Rights tends to handle such occurrences. It will also look at how Norway has implemented Environmental Impact Assessment legislation and if this legislation contains the tools needed to fulfil the positive obligation set out in the Convention.