Paper Title
Terrorism and Countering Terrorism: A Frameworkfor Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development
Abstract
The aftermath of the 11 September attack sparked up the need for states to accord protection to human life and freedom through the maintenance of international peace and security. Although everyone is born free and equal, the notion of terrorism and violent extremism seems to have hindered the long-lasting peace that humanity has struggled for since the repercussions of World War II. One of such problems originates from the growing threat posed by terrorism and counter terrorism measures and their negative impact on peace, human rights and development. These fundamental values or principles are interdependent of each other, implying that there can be no peace without development, human rights without peace and sustainable development without stability or peace. These concepts are also intrinsically independent of each other and mutually reinforcing. The protection of one will eventually lead to the positive realisation of another. The devastating consequences of terrorism and its negative impact on peace, human rights and sustainable development have prompted several states to adopt measures to counter terrorism in line with national security and international human rights law. The question of how, when, and for whom these measures are more often adopted and applied by states depends on the extent of their objectivity, certainty and clarity. This research aim to examine the concepts of terrorism and counter terrorism and to investigate whether anti-terrorism measures adopted and applied by states do adequately serve as a framework for the enhancement of peace, human rights and sustainable development in the new world order. The paper will take into consideration or account for specific case studies in some states to demonstrate how terrorism and counter terrorism measures have been wrongly used by states to achieve political agendas at the expense of peace, human rights and sustainable development.
Keywords - Terrorism, Counterterrorism, Peace, Human Rights, Sustainable Development.