U.N. Panel Takes U.S. to Task Over Katrina

Louisiana National Guard soldiers talk to George Rosaro, top left, as they patrol the streets in New Orleans, July 8, 2006. They are some of the 300 troops who arrived to help keep order a few days after the city's worst act of criminal violence since Hurricane Katrina--the shooting deaths of five teenagers on June 17. The Guard patrols Eastern New Orleans, the Lakefront and the Ninth Ward, where miles of empty buildings offer fertile grounds to looters, squatters and those looking for a hide-out. This allows police to turn their full attention to populated areas, especially those where killings blamed on turf wars, drug disputes or revenge have bloodied the streets. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Alex Brandon - AP)

"I think the president and everyone in the United States said that Katrina was something that no one was entirely prepared for and it did raise huge challenges for the United States," said Robert Harris, of the office of the Legal Adviser of the U.S. State Department. "We're looking at a large list of lessons from Katrina and trying to make sure that the next time, God forbid something like that happens, we are better prepared."

The panel of 18 independent experts, which reviews the practices of the 156 countries who have ratified the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, said it was concerned about information that blacks and poor people "were disadvantaged by the rescue and evacuation plans implemented when Hurricane Katrina hit."

Criticism by the panel brings no penalties beyond international scrutiny.

The Katrina findings comprised two paragraphs in a 12-page release of findings that also included recommendations on U.S. policies in the war on terror.

The U.S. mission to the U.N.'s European headquarters in Geneva criticized the committee's examination of many issues it said were outside the scope of its mandate, particularly dealing with the war on terrorism.

But on domestic issues, it said "the committee has made recommendations in matters under its competence, including efforts to address race and sex discrimination, capital punishment, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and voting rights."

The committee also addressed reports of de facto racial segregation in public schools.

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Associated Press correspondent Alexander G. Higgins in Geneva and Michelle Roberts in New Orleans contributed to this report.