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
C&SN Op-Ed: The Global War on Terror Doubles as a War on Peacebuilding – Inkstick
C&SN's Associate Director for Policy and Advocacy Ashleigh Subramanian-Montgomery reflects on the impacts of the Global War on Terror on peacebuilding and humanitarian work, and calls on policymakers to muster the political courage to pursue
Event Summary: Israeli Raids on Palestinian Civil Society Organizations — The Costs of International Inaction
On Aug. 25, 2022, the Middle East Institute (MEI), the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP), the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP), Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), the International Crisis Group (ICG),
Israel Shuts Down Palestinian Civil Society Groups as U.S. Continues to “Review” Unsubstantiated Allegations from Last Fall
Washington, D.C., Aug. 18, 2022 — Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has reportedly ratified the terrorism designations of three of the six Palestinian human rights and civil society organizations first designated by the Israeli military
Treating Frozen Reserves as Leverage, Biden Administration Continues to Fuel Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Crisis
Washington, D.C., Aug. 15, 2022 — In response to reports that the U.S. will not consider releasing any of Afghanistan’s frozen foreign reserves in the near-term, Paul Carroll, Director of the Charity and Security Network,
Biden Should Urge Israel to Rescind its Wrongful Designation of the Palestinian Six
Washington, D.C., July 12, 2022 — Ahead of President Biden’s travel to Israel and the West Bank, Paul Carroll, Director of the Charity and Security Network, released the following statement: “President Biden should take the
C&SN Applauds New UN Position Paper: The Human Rights and Rule of Law Implications of Countering the Financing of Terrorism Measures
Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, recently presented a new position paper, The Human Rights and Rule of