Conclusion Human rights are the basic and essential foundation of democratic policing. Without them, policing risks becoming oppressive; with them, it is a powerful means of protecting society. Respect for the individual’s fundamental rights as an objective of law enforcement activities is possibly the most significant symbol of a society governed by the rule of law and is an essential commitment made by OSCE participating States. Those states have committed themselves to put in place national legislative frameworks that translate international human rights standards into domestic laws and to establish relevant accountability and oversight mechanisms.141 Such a framework and other relevant regulations are crucial to guiding law enforcement officers on how to conduct their duties in line with international human rights standards. Similarly, the rights of these officers themselves have to be spelled out and protected under national legislation and practices, in line with relevant international standards. It is also important to properly train law enforcement officers to enhance their understanding of human rights standards and their operational applicability. This manual, and its training curriculum templates in particular, aims to support national efforts in developing specific courses on the protection of human rights in counter-terrorism investigations. The requirement to comply with human rights principles is not a burden imposed on law enforcement that inhibits them from carrying out their duties. It is, on the contrary, a tool for them to more effectively perform their work. Examples throughout this manual have demonstrated that law enforcement officers are better placed to conduct successful counter-terrorism investigations where human rights standards are respected and protected. 141 OSCE Copenhagen Document, op. cit., note 21.