litical settlement for conflicts, by promoting human rights and tolerance and by combating
poverty […]24
The UN High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change identified in its report to the
UN Secretary General that:
A thread that runs through all such concerns is the imperative to develop a global strategy
of fighting terrorism that addresses root causes and strengthens responsible States and the
rule of law and fundamental human rights. What is required is a comprehensive strategy that
incorporates but is broader than coercive measures.
The United Nations, with the Secretary-General taking a leading role, should promote such a
comprehensive strategy, which includes: […]
C. Development of better instruments for global counter-terrorism cooperation, all within a
legal framework that is respectful of civil liberties and human rights, including in the areas
of law enforcement; intelligence-sharing, where possible; denial and interdiction, when required; and financial control […].25
As noted above, the primary objective of this manual is to explain how the effective application of human rights will contribute to the success of counter-terrorism strategies. In this
regard, it must be emphasized that human rights do not exist in isolation. A human rights
compliant state does not pick and choose the rights that apply to it, but must apply all human
rights to all persons within its jurisdiction. History is littered with examples of the denial
or partial application of human rights leading to conflicts and terrorist acts. States must
acknowledge that human rights exist as a whole and include economic, social and cultural
rights, as well as civil and political rights.
24 Op. cit., note 7, 2002 Porto Charter, para. 20.
25 Report of the UN Secretary General’s High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, “A more secure world:
our shared responsibility” (December 2004), para. 148.
26
Countering Terrorism, Protecting Human Rights
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