The report posits that there is a grievous lack of insight into what causes politically motivated violence. Examining the various ways human rights have been abused and undermined, the report showcases the shift that has made it acceptable to go to extreme lengths in the effort to counter ‘terrorism.’
Without a clear and internationally-agreed definition of the term ‘terrorism’, numerous countries have continued to abuse and exploit individuals in the name of combatting it. Examples stretch far and wide from India to Saudi Arabia and include the UK where the government has implemented the pernicious PREVENT strategy. Falling under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, the PREVENT agenda seriously undermines freedom of expression and the right to privacy, whilst discriminating against Muslim populations.
Lack of a clear definition has also meant that these human rights abuses often occur without challenge or consequence, as states have been able to justify their actions based on the notion of fighting such a vague subject.
Erosion of civil liberties continues with the use of ‘blacklists’ as well as the international political dominance of the USA. The latter has seen drone strikes, warrantless surveillance of Americans and torture at Guantanamo Bay.
Focusing on the above abuses, the report conveys the stark message that the concept of ‘human rights’ is now a meaningless term in this context. It is used by the UN Security Council simply to pay lip service to the concept and to further entrench the abuse of rights being continuously perpetrated. As the report says:
“…the concept of human rights is devoid of substantive meaning as it can so easily be misused to justify government actions that are themselves antithetical to the protection of human rights and civil liberties.”
SH/IHRC
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