News
Clingendael hosts counterterrorism seminar
October 17, 2007. On Thursday, October 11, The Clingendael Institute was pleased to host a seminar on the precarious balance that states must strike between efforts to counter terrorism and abidance with human rights. As recent examples have taught us, this balance is easily disturbed by counterterrorism techniques, such as the secret rendition of terrorist suspects or particular interrogation methods.
After a welcome by Europe's former counterterrorism co-ordinator and Clingendael fellow Mr. Gijs de Vries, Mr. Martin Scheinin delivered input into the discussion on current issues with regard to counterterrorism on the one hand and human rights on the other. Mr. Scheinin, currently serving as the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism proceeded by outlining possible solutions in order to both counter terrorism respecting human rights. Other topics for discussion included the control of intelligence agencies, extraordinary renditions and secret detentions by the United States of America, and the perceived need for human rights education amongst citizens and authorities so as to narrow the possibility of human rights violations in the fight against terrorism.
The meeting was organized in joint co-operation with the Institute of Human Rights at Åbo Akademi University, Finland and made possible by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands.
More information on the Special Rapporteur's office can be found here.