Human Rights Issues in Countering Terrorism

• In Event: Challenging Perceptions: Rethinking Detainees, Former Prisoners, Human Rights and Dispute Resolution

Abstract

Countering terrorism in the United States has been a challenging issue for the government and the criminal justice practitioners. The strategies adopted so far by the criminal justice system in terms of countering terrorism have created years of debate over prioritizing liberty against safety of citizens or prioritizing safety against liberty of citizens. Hence since the September 11, 2001 terrorists’ attack, attempts to barricade terrorism have derogated American most cherished values preserved in the First Amendment to the constitution, the freedom of conscience, liberty of expression, and the freedom of religion. The basis of this research is focused on the issues associated with human rights protection while countering terrorism. In ensuring that fundamental rights of individuals are protected while countering terrorism, international organizations like the United Nations and Amnesty International had made provisions to that effect. Obviously, the United Nations placed a priority on the issue of protecting human rights in the framework of counter-terrorism measures, notwithstanding their total condemnation of terrorism and acclaimed duty of States to protect those living within their jurisdictions from terrorism (United Nations, n.d.).

Authors

• Ifeoma Okoye, Albany State University, Georgia

• Oko Elechi, Mississippi Valley State University