Anti-Terrorist Measures and Human Rights

The tragic events of 11 September 2001 have led to an intensification of measures against terrorism both at the level of states and international organisations. New laws and resolutions have been passed in order to strengthen national and international action against terrorism. Some of these measures violate human rights and have been introduced without respect for obligatory procedures under international human rights conventions for derogations in cases of emergency. This development has given rise to much concern worldwide. In order to analyse the many (human rights) questions posed by the intensified struggle against terrorism, a symposium was organised, on the initiative of the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights (MFHR) of Athens, by the European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (ETC) in Graz and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna together with the MFHR. This volume brings together most of the contributions to this high-level and in-depth discussion in edited, updated form. Among the issues analysed are the dangers entailed in the new doctrine of pre-emptive wars, the issue of the prevention of terrorism through measures addressing its causes and the strengthening of human security. The volume also contains an annex with major documents relating to the question of human rights and terrorism at universal and regional levels prepared by international organisations and NGO's, which represents a useful handbook on the topic. Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights (MFHR). Established in 1978 in Athens, Greece. Its main purposes are the research, study, defense, protection and promotion of generally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms.Within this framework, MFHR takes a special interest in the advancement of formal and informal education on human rights, the raising of public awareness and the adoption by States or international organisations of measures protecting human rights, peace and the development of democratic institutions. For more details, see: http: //www.mfhr.gr European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (ETC) has been established in the year 2000, in the city of Graz, the first Human Rights City in Europe. It is a non-governmental organisation which is linked to the University of Graz through a cooperation agreement. The ETC has a particular focus on South-Eastern Europe, where it helped creating a network of human rights centres. In its training and research activities it is supported by an international advisory board. A particular focus of its training and research programmes is the relationship between human rights and human security, non-discrimination, migration, democracy and human rights at the local level. For more details, see: http: //www.etc-graz.at.