OSCE discusses international co-operation to protect human rights in the fight against terrorism

VIENNA, 15 July 2005 - International human rights experts attending a two-day OSCE conference discussed the need for effective co-operation among governments, NGOs and international agencies to ensure protection of human rights in the fight against terrorism.

"We must reinforce the common goals of those who point to the importance of upholding human rights and those who want to pursue the fight against terrorism", said Ambassador Christian Strohal, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which organized the meeting.

"Nor can we sacrifice the principles of our free societies - democracy, human rights and the rule of law - in the fight against terrorism. That would play into the hands of the very terrorists we fight," he continued, calling on all 55 OSCE participating States to endorse and implement recommendations made during the meeting.

The recommendations concern freedom of religion, prohibition of the use of torture and the role of civil society in the fight against terrorism. Over 200 experts from governments, NGOs and other bodies attended the meeting.

Several participants warned against countries alienating their citizens through legislation that restricts freedom of religion and belief. "How freedom of religion is respected is a litmus-test of the state of human rights in any society", said John Kinahan from the NGO Forum 18.

Participants called for accountability and transparency on the part of law enforcement officials and legislators, particularly during detention of terrorist suspects, in order to ensure that torture is not used. There were also calls for proper training of law enforcement officials and a ban on the use of confessions extracted through torture.

"A document from the 17th century talks of "all the lies people say under torture". This is as true now as it was then," said former UK Police Superintendent John Pearse.

There was broad agreement that a vibrant civil society is essential to combat terrorism, promote democracy and hold governments accountable. Recommendations for the role of civil society included strengthening independent media, promoting civil control over the security sector, advising and reviewing draft anti-terrorism legislation and ensuring adequate government attention to victims of terrorist acts.

"The way to an effective battle against terrorism is a strong government and an equally strong civil society," said Yevgeniy Zhovtis, Director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law.

Ambassador Strohal said the human rights challenges involved in the fight against terrorism were complicated.

"We need not only resolve, but effective international cooperation including a wide range of professionals and agencies. We must be careful and yet vigilant, because if resolve translates into the application of excessive force, it risks breeding more terrorism, rather than fighting or preventing it."