Because terrorism can negatively impact human rights, countries are obligated to protect the rights of their citizens through effective counterterrorism measures. At the same time, countries must ensure that these measures comply with international human rights law.
Unfortunately, the reality is that human rights are often sidelined when counterterrorism policies are crafted. Unintended consequences of these laws can restrict freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly, among other basic rights. In repressive regimes, counterterrorism laws and policies are often used as an excuse for restrictive measures against civil society. Civil society must be diligent in pushing back against restrictive policies and ensure that adequate Humanitarian Safeguards are in place.
Featured Resources
Abstract: Safeguarding Medical Care and Humanitarian Action in the UN Counterterrorism Framework
In her report Safeguarding Medical Care and Humanitarian Action in the UN Counterterrorism Framework, Alice Debarre poses the question of how UN and UN member state counterterrorism frameworks affect and interact with International Humanitarian Law (IHL). She
Special Rapporteur Highlights Use of CT Laws to Stifle Civil Society
The United Nations' new Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association Clement Voule has released his first report to the Human Rights Council. In it, he identifies eight global trends with regard
OFAC Issues Regulations Implementing Global Magnitsky Sanctions
The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued final regulations (83 Fed. Reg. 30541, 31 CFR part 583) to implement the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (Pub. L. 114-328, Title XII, Subtitle F)
UN Special Rapporteur’s Assessment of the United States’ Civil Society
In July 2016, Maina Kiai, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, visited the United States on an official mission to assess the civil society’s freedoms of assembly
New CSIS Report Examines Negative Impact of Counterterrorism Measures
"The world has witnessed an alarming rise in restrictions placed on civil society actors to curtail their space and operations, impeding upon the realization of their rights to the freedom of expression, association, and
What Happens in New York …
It has been said of the UN that “what happens in Geneva stays in Geneva.” But what about New York? Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights