OSCE participating States are not only bound by the United Nations Conventions in this field; the vast majority of them are also Member States of the Council of Europe. In addressing this, the manual also refers to case law of the European Court of Human Rights, legal precedents that serve as working examples of how fundamental human rights law as set out by United Nations Conventions are applied in practical contexts. It gives in-depth guidance on, inter alia, the international frameworks protecting human rights and countering terrorism, extra-territorial application of international human rights obligations, and the rights to life, liberty, fair trial, privacy, freedom of expression and association, and how they may be respected in the context of countering terrorism. The impact of the absolute prohibitions on torture and ill-treatment are explained in the context of renditions, expulsions and extraditions. States’ policy makers are under immense pressure to be seen to be taken positive action in respect of terrorist threats, and are frequently facing competing political, logistical, and information requirements. I wish to offer all such policy makers the support of the ODIHR. I hope that this manual will facilitate their work and help them to maintain the highest standards of professionalism. Ambassador Christian Strohal ODIHR Director 14 Countering Terrorism, Protecting Human Rights