Debating the issues
The global fight against terrorism, especially in the wake of 9/11, has led to many restrictions being placed on human rights. Controversially, some have even argued that non-derogable rights like the prohibition on torture and ill-treatment should be less than absolute in order to ensure people are safe from terrorist attacks.
What do you think? Is the threat of terror so great that it justifies re-thinking international legal rules to permit states to derogate from the most fundamental rights? In the discussion exercise that follows, some of the examples ask you to reflect on this question.