My Work
Is the Right to Water a Human Right? The Experience of Jordan
This year, the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies Human Rights Law Clinic has investigated what international human rights law has to say about the right to safe, adequate, and accessible water. We have studied the situation in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, because it is among the most water-deprived nations on Earth. During our visit to Amman in January, we were able to meet with key stakeholders inside and outside of government in Jordan, and we are immensely grateful for the cooperation we were offered by every single person we met. This Report, prepared by our students, following a brief explanation of our study goals, methodology, and limitations, is presented in five parts. We begin with a brief introduction to Jordan’s history, demographics, economy, and foreign relations, and a survey of relevant international legal instruments and institutions. We then present our research and observations with respect to four major questions: How serious is the problem of water scarcity in Jordan? How does water allocation affect disadvantaged groups? What internal barriers have impeded Jordan’s ability to address the problem, and what steps has it taken overcome them? And finally, how do applicable treaties and customary international law bear on the right to water, and how has Jordan worked with its neighbors to mitigate its water shortage?
NBC News Reporting
Explore a featured selection of my reporting below.
Wife recounts husband’s lucky escape out of Kabul when leaving seemed impossible
It was a text message from a bloodbath.
And while the words had been said many times before, Zorah Aziz knew immediately that something was not right when she found the note from her husband, Nazir Ahmad Qasimi, who was trapped in Afghanistan and trying desperately to escape.
“He said ‘I love you,’” Aziz said. “I just want you to know I love you and that was it. And I was so weirded out by it.”
So, as she had done countless times since Kabul fell to the Taliban, she texted him back with words
And while the words had been said many times before, Zorah Aziz knew immediately that something was not right when she found the note from her husband, Nazir Ahmad Qasimi, who was trapped in Afghanistan and trying desperately to escape.
“He said ‘I love you,’” Aziz said. “I just want you to know I love you and that was it. And I was so weirded out by it.”
So, as she had done countless times since Kabul fell to the Taliban, she texted him back with words
'They'd shoot him right there': Afghan-American marriage in perilous limbo as Taliban return
Not long after Kabul fell, the love of Zorah Aziz's life found himself with thousands of other terrified Afghans at the city's airport desperately seeking an escape from the Taliban.
Aziz, who lives in California, said her husband, Nazir Ahmad Qasimi, called her from the chaos that was captured on camera and broadcast around the world. She said she could hear Afghanistan coming apart in the background.
"All you hear is shots. All you hear is people screaming," Aziz, 30, said Tuesday. "And he i
Aziz, who lives in California, said her husband, Nazir Ahmad Qasimi, called her from the chaos that was captured on camera and broadcast around the world. She said she could hear Afghanistan coming apart in the background.
"All you hear is shots. All you hear is people screaming," Aziz, 30, said Tuesday. "And he i
Trapped by Taliban, Afghans who helped U.S. fear they've been abandoned
While the Taliban were tightening their grip Monday on Afghanistan, a Chicago-area lawyer was struggling to reassure two terrified women trapped in Kabul via text message that all was not lost.
"I don't have answers for them," said the lawyer, whom NBC News is not identifying so as not to endanger the women, whom the lawyer met several years ago through a mentorship program.
Their parents had urged the women last month to flee, but they refused "because they believed in the U.S. promise that K
"I don't have answers for them," said the lawyer, whom NBC News is not identifying so as not to endanger the women, whom the lawyer met several years ago through a mentorship program.
Their parents had urged the women last month to flee, but they refused "because they believed in the U.S. promise that K
Faced with anti-vaccination parents, teens are helping one another get Covid shots
The Gen Zer from Ohio who made a splash two years ago for defying his mother to get his childhood immunizations has a message for teenagers seeking Covid-19 vaccinations and getting pushback from their parents — get one if you can.
Ethan Lindenberger, 20, got his first dose three weeks ago and said doing so “could save someone’s life.”
“Teens faced with this have to weigh things like ‘I know vaccines are lifesaving, but I don’t want to become homeless,’” he said. “So I tell them if you can’t h
Ethan Lindenberger, 20, got his first dose three weeks ago and said doing so “could save someone’s life.”
“Teens faced with this have to weigh things like ‘I know vaccines are lifesaving, but I don’t want to become homeless,’” he said. “So I tell them if you can’t h
Georgia sheriff's official under fire for remarks on spa shootings, anti-Asian Facebook post
A Georgia sheriff's spokesperson who came under fire Wednesday for statements he made about the suspect in the Atlanta-area spa shootings, which killed eight people, including six women of Asian descent, previously shared an anti-Asian post on Facebook.
At a news conference Wednesday, Capt. Jay Baker, a spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, said that Robert Aaron Long, who has been charged with eight counts of murder, "was pretty much fed up and kind of at the end of his rope" and
At a news conference Wednesday, Capt. Jay Baker, a spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, said that Robert Aaron Long, who has been charged with eight counts of murder, "was pretty much fed up and kind of at the end of his rope" and
It's safe: Latino groups combat vaccine fears among Nebraska's essential workers
Throughout the pandemic, R.S., a janitor at Tyson Foods in Dakota City, Nebraska, has been working 17- to 18-hour shifts to keep the building clean and safe for her fellow employees.
The 39-year-old, who immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador in 2015, has worked at the meatpacking plant since September 2018. When Covid-19 first began to spread throughout the country last spring, she said the plant and its employees were unprepared for the impact the virus would have.
“Everyone thought, ‘No, n
The 39-year-old, who immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador in 2015, has worked at the meatpacking plant since September 2018. When Covid-19 first began to spread throughout the country last spring, she said the plant and its employees were unprepared for the impact the virus would have.
“Everyone thought, ‘No, n
How people are celebrating Lunar New Year during the pandemic
This Chinese New Year, beginning Friday, ushers in the Year of the Ox.
The holiday is part of the Lunar New Year, marking a fresh annual start for many Asian cultures. But the celebration, which traditionally brings families together in large groups, looks different this year for some.
Amid coronavirus pandemic restrictions, major cities ranging from Hong Kong to Melbourne to New York City have canceled parades, festivals and fireworks displays that typically draw large crowds. So people aroun
The holiday is part of the Lunar New Year, marking a fresh annual start for many Asian cultures. But the celebration, which traditionally brings families together in large groups, looks different this year for some.
Amid coronavirus pandemic restrictions, major cities ranging from Hong Kong to Melbourne to New York City have canceled parades, festivals and fireworks displays that typically draw large crowds. So people aroun
Georgia lawyer said he kicked in Pelosi's door, she could've been 'torn into little pieces'
A Georgia lawyer boasted that he and fellow rioters "kicked in Nancy Pelosi's office door" and the House speaker dodged being "torn into little pieces," according to a criminal complaint.
William McCall Calhoun Jr., an attorney from Americus, Georgia, has been charged with entering a restricted building, violent or disorderly conduct and obstructing official proceedings of government, according to an FBI affidavit seeking his arrest.
The FBI's National Threat operation Center received a tip th
William McCall Calhoun Jr., an attorney from Americus, Georgia, has been charged with entering a restricted building, violent or disorderly conduct and obstructing official proceedings of government, according to an FBI affidavit seeking his arrest.
The FBI's National Threat operation Center received a tip th
Man holding Confederate flag in Capitol during pro-Trump riot turns himself in
A man who was seen in the Capitol holding a Confederate flag during last week’s riot by supporters of President Donald Trump turned himself in to authorities on Thursday.
Kevin Seefried and his son Hunter surrendered to the U.S. Marshals' office Thursday morning in Wilmington, Delaware, the FBI confirmed to NBC News.
The FBI had circulated a photo of Kevin Seefried carrying the flag amid the pro-Tump mob on Jan. 6 and received a tip after Hunter Seefried had "bragged" about being at the Capito
Kevin Seefried and his son Hunter surrendered to the U.S. Marshals' office Thursday morning in Wilmington, Delaware, the FBI confirmed to NBC News.
The FBI had circulated a photo of Kevin Seefried carrying the flag amid the pro-Tump mob on Jan. 6 and received a tip after Hunter Seefried had "bragged" about being at the Capito
Video shows park ranger stunning Native American man in New Mexico
A park ranger was seen on video using a stun gun on a Native American man who was walking his dog with his sister at a national monument in New Mexico on Sunday.
The man, Darrell House, who is Oneida and Navajo, said he went for a stroll with his sister and his dog Sunday afternoon at Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque, where, he said, he often prays and meditates in honor of the land and his ancestors.
House said he stepped off the trail to maintain social distancing from an approach
The man, Darrell House, who is Oneida and Navajo, said he went for a stroll with his sister and his dog Sunday afternoon at Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque, where, he said, he often prays and meditates in honor of the land and his ancestors.
House said he stepped off the trail to maintain social distancing from an approach
Kentucky family loses 3 members to Covid-19 in weeks before Christmas
Two Kentucky sisters are cautioning families against gathering this holiday season after they lost three relatives when the coronavirus swept through their family this fall.
Jessica Cheatham, 36, of Campbellsville, and Jama Allen, 32, of Liberty, told NBC News that they had both contracted Covid-19 in October and November. While they experienced fairly mild cases of the disease, their older relatives did not fare as well.
Their grandfather, Charles Herbert Tucker, contracted Covid-19 in Novemb
Jessica Cheatham, 36, of Campbellsville, and Jama Allen, 32, of Liberty, told NBC News that they had both contracted Covid-19 in October and November. While they experienced fairly mild cases of the disease, their older relatives did not fare as well.
Their grandfather, Charles Herbert Tucker, contracted Covid-19 in Novemb
‘The most 2020 wedding’: Bride with Covid-19 gets married in quarantine
Across the country, the coronavirus pandemic forced newly engaged couples to downscale, postpone and cancel wedding celebrations due to safety concerns and stay-at-home orders.
But for one couple in California, not even contracting the virus itself could stop them from tying the knot.
Lauren and Patrick Delgado, a couple of four years, looked forward to their big day on Nov. 20 since they got engaged in May last year. What the pair did not expect, however, was for the pandemic to force them to
But for one couple in California, not even contracting the virus itself could stop them from tying the knot.
Lauren and Patrick Delgado, a couple of four years, looked forward to their big day on Nov. 20 since they got engaged in May last year. What the pair did not expect, however, was for the pandemic to force them to
Michigan couple married for 47 years die from Covid-19 on the same day
Just two days before Thanksgiving, a Michigan couple married for 47 years died from Covid-19.
Leslie and Patricia McWaters both died from Covid-19 on Nov. 24 after being hospitalized with the virus, according to an obituary. Their deaths were recorded at the exact same time.
“It’s beautiful, but it’s so tragic. Kind of like Romeo and Juliet,” their daughter, Joanna Sisk, told NBC affiliate WDIV. “One wouldn’t have wanted to be without the other.”
Patricia McWaters, 78, who was known to friend
Leslie and Patricia McWaters both died from Covid-19 on Nov. 24 after being hospitalized with the virus, according to an obituary. Their deaths were recorded at the exact same time.
“It’s beautiful, but it’s so tragic. Kind of like Romeo and Juliet,” their daughter, Joanna Sisk, told NBC affiliate WDIV. “One wouldn’t have wanted to be without the other.”
Patricia McWaters, 78, who was known to friend
Armenian Americans lobby for U.S. support as distant homeland in crisis
Many ethnic Armenians this week set fire to their homes as they prepared to cede land to Azerbaijan under the terms of a fragile armistice between the two countries.
Half a world away, half a million Americans of Armenian descent could help determine the course of war and peace in this troubled region, as they wield influence, experts say, far greater than their numbers.
“In terms of domestic U.S. politics, the Armenian diaspora in America is punching above its weight,” said Richard Giragosian
Half a world away, half a million Americans of Armenian descent could help determine the course of war and peace in this troubled region, as they wield influence, experts say, far greater than their numbers.
“In terms of domestic U.S. politics, the Armenian diaspora in America is punching above its weight,” said Richard Giragosian
RNC airs video clip of ‘Biden’s America’ — it was actually Barcelona
The Republican National Convention aired a video on its first night decrying protests in the United States and citing potential chaos in the streets if Democratic nominee Joe Biden is elected president.
One problem with the video? One part showed a different protest, in a different country, in a different year.
NBC News’ Social Newsgathering team was able to identify that a portion of the video was in fact taken during Catalonia independence protests in Spain in October 2019 and not during rec
One problem with the video? One part showed a different protest, in a different country, in a different year.
NBC News’ Social Newsgathering team was able to identify that a portion of the video was in fact taken during Catalonia independence protests in Spain in October 2019 and not during rec
Satellite imagery shows scale of destruction after explosion at Beirut port
The blast, which Lebanese officials say was caused by 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate in storage near the port, registered as a magnitude 3.3 earthquake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Ammonium nitrate, also called AN, is a compound of ammonium and nitrogen that is used in agricultural fertilizer and explosives. Generally, AN can be relatively stable and is used in U.S. farming regularly, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. But contaminants and other trace material can ma
Ammonium nitrate, also called AN, is a compound of ammonium and nitrogen that is used in agricultural fertilizer and explosives. Generally, AN can be relatively stable and is used in U.S. farming regularly, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. But contaminants and other trace material can ma
Educators join National Day of Resistance to fight for safe and equitable schools
Educators gathered Monday in demonstrations across the country addressing twin concerns of a safe and equitable school environment amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide reckoning around racial justice after the killing of George Floyd.
The demonstrations, held in dozens of cities, including Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, were part of the National Day of Resistance, organized by a coalition of teachers unions, social justice organizations and the Democratic Socialists of America. The
The demonstrations, held in dozens of cities, including Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, were part of the National Day of Resistance, organized by a coalition of teachers unions, social justice organizations and the Democratic Socialists of America. The
These couples are stuck thousands of miles apart because of travel bans
Leah Howd is worried that her 5-month-old son, Johan, won't remember his father when they are finally reunited.
"He is too small to understand the person on the computer monitor is his dad," she said.
Howd, 39, of Peoria, Illinois, hasn't seen her partner, Bas Bruurs, 41, of the Netherlands for three months — they are among thousands of couples now kept apart in different corners of the world by COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The U.S. has banned most foreign travelers from Europe since March,
"He is too small to understand the person on the computer monitor is his dad," she said.
Howd, 39, of Peoria, Illinois, hasn't seen her partner, Bas Bruurs, 41, of the Netherlands for three months — they are among thousands of couples now kept apart in different corners of the world by COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The U.S. has banned most foreign travelers from Europe since March,
Family surprises great-grandmother with creative 'hug time' device
Stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic have forced many families to keep their distance from each other, but that didn’t stop one Rockford, Illinois family from finding a creative way to show their great-grandmother some love.
Using a window insulation kit, duct tape, PVC pipes and livestock gloves, Carly Marinaro was able to develop a safe way for her children to hug their nana, Rose Gagmon, after nearly two months in quarantine, NBC affiliate WREX reported.
Marinaro posted the n
Using a window insulation kit, duct tape, PVC pipes and livestock gloves, Carly Marinaro was able to develop a safe way for her children to hug their nana, Rose Gagmon, after nearly two months in quarantine, NBC affiliate WREX reported.
Marinaro posted the n
Anti-lockdown protesters seen carrying weapons inside North Carolina sandwich shop
A group of armed demonstrators protesting North Carolina's stay-at-home order walked the streets of Raleigh, North Carolina, this weekend, weapons slung over their shoulders, and were captured at a restaurant in photographs that went viral.
Travis Long, a photojournalist with The News & Observer, said he shot the photos inside a Subway on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.
One photo shows a protester carrying what appears to be an AT4 rocket launcher and two pistols in holsters on his wa
Travis Long, a photojournalist with The News & Observer, said he shot the photos inside a Subway on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.
One photo shows a protester carrying what appears to be an AT4 rocket launcher and two pistols in holsters on his wa
Super Bowl champ fighting on COVID-19 front lines
Nearly three months after having helped the Kansas City Chiefs win the Super Bowl, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chiefs right guard, who earned his doctor of medicine degree in 2018, said in Sports Illustrated that he took a vacation with his girlfriend to celebrate the Super Bowl win. When he returned home to Canada, everything had changed.
After a 14-day quarantine, he knew he had to put his medical training to use. Canada's health ministry had r
The Chiefs right guard, who earned his doctor of medicine degree in 2018, said in Sports Illustrated that he took a vacation with his girlfriend to celebrate the Super Bowl win. When he returned home to Canada, everything had changed.
After a 14-day quarantine, he knew he had to put his medical training to use. Canada's health ministry had r
Congressional Hispanic Caucus calls on ICE to release detainees amid COVID-19 crisis
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Tuesday demanded the release of hundreds of people held in immigration detention to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and stave off an outbreak within the jails.
Four detainees and five Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention employees had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Tuesday, according to ICE, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.
In a call with news media, advocates from the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigran
Four detainees and five Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention employees had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Tuesday, according to ICE, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.
In a call with news media, advocates from the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigran
'Like sitting ducks': Amid coronavirus, families, attorneys sound alarm over ICE detainees
Americans with family members in immigration detention facilities, as well as their lawyers, are sounding the alarm and urging the release of nonviolent detainees with underlying health conditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 24, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in a person held in an immigrant detention center.
“This is what public health experts have assured us would happen: People in detention centers are sitting ducks for the spread
On March 24, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in a person held in an immigrant detention center.
“This is what public health experts have assured us would happen: People in detention centers are sitting ducks for the spread
Love in the time of coronavirus: New York City couple married on street by friend in window
Even though bans on gatherings and social distancing have become the norm during the coronavirus pandemic, a New York City couple still found a way to celebrate their love with a surprise wedding.
Reilly Jennings, 28, and Amanda Wheeler, 38, got married Friday as their friend Matt Wilson officiated from his fourth-floor apartment window in the Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights.
The couple had originally planned to get married in October, but fearing their venue would be closed and w
Reilly Jennings, 28, and Amanda Wheeler, 38, got married Friday as their friend Matt Wilson officiated from his fourth-floor apartment window in the Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights.
The couple had originally planned to get married in October, but fearing their venue would be closed and w
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