Constitutional Law

Preventing Disastrous Consequences: Author Advocates Amending Material Support Laws To Permit Rendering Humanitarian Aid

ACLU Attorney Ahilan T. Arulanantham asserts in an American Constitution Society Issue Brief published today that a myriad of federal laws aimed at curtailing terrorism have also unintentionally hampered the nation’s efforts at providing humanitarian aid.

Arulanantham, an attorney with the ACLU of Southern California, writes in the Issue Brief, “A Hungry Child Knows No Politics,” that a “constellation of statutes” to enhance national security are so broad that “humanitarian organizations and volunteers operating throughout the world in conflict zones and natural disaster sites have scaled back and in some cases, simply abandoned their efforts to aid those in greatest need of help.” Arulanantham also lays out ways for Congress to amend the numerous laws to help bolster global humanitarian efforts without jeopardizing national security.

Full post as published by ACS Blog on June 25, 2008 (boomark / email).