Foreword S ince its origin in 1975 as the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), the OSCE has taken a comprehensive view of security. The human dimension of security — the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the promotion of strong democratic institutions and rule of law — is considered to be as important for the maintenance of peace and stability as are the politico-military and economic dimensions. The Warsaw-based Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principle OSCE institution within the human dimension. Its overall task is to help ensure that OSCE commitments in the human dimension are implemented in the participating States. To that end, it is mandated to gather and analyse factual information on the state of implementation and to conduct programmes that assist states to develop and uphold a democratic culture that will respect and promote the principles expressed in those commitments. These commitments have been adopted over the years by the OSCE states. They are numerous and detailed; they concern the full protection of human rights, as well as democracy and the rule of law. After the tragic events of 11 September 2001, countries throughout the OSCE region intensified their efforts to counter global threats of terrorism and violent extremism. Recognizing the need for mutual co-operation, the 56 OSCE participating States came together at a ministerial conference in Bucharest at the end of 2001 to agree upon a collaborative, international approach to tackling the threat, which they enshrined in a Plan of Action. Noting that the newly heightened security environment puts at risk a number of fundamental rights and freedoms, including the rights to a fair trial, to privacy, and the freedoms of association and of religion or belief, participating States pledged under the Plan to fully respect international law, including the international law of human rights, in the development and implementation of their counter-terrorism initiatives. It was understood that poorly conceived counter-terrorism policies and practices, especially those that are drafted too broadly, or applied too forcefully, can compound resentment and therefore be counter-productive. Recognizing this challenge, participating States tasked the ODIHR to offer to states technical assistance and advice for the appropriate implementation of anti-terrorism policies in line with their international obligations and human rights commitments, while simultaneously fostering collaboration between government agencies, national experts and civil society in addressing factors which engender conditions in which terrorists may recruit and win support. This manual is one of the results that have emerged from the mandate given to the ODIHR. It aims to familiarize states’ senior policy makers with the fundamental human rights standards they are obliged to adhere to under international law when devising efforts to combat terrorism and extremism. Although it has been developed to supplement a three-day training course, it is formulated as a working manual; a stand-alone reference for policy makers and counter-terrorism practitioners. Countering Terrorism, Protecting Human Rights 13