BERLIN.The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has adopted a ‘Declaration on Upholding Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Combating Terrorism’. The Declaration highlights the challenge to the rule of law brought about by recent counter-terrorism measures and many old counter-terrorism laws. The Declaration, adopted on 28 August at the close of the ICJ's biennal conference in Berlin, reaffirms the most fundamental human rights that are being violated through abusive counter-terrorism measures. It recalls that some human rights may never be suspended, such as the absolute prohibition of torture or other inhuman treatment and of secret detention. The Declaration also defines areas and methods of action for the worldwide ICJ network. Its jurists will monitor and challenge counter-terrorism legislation around the world, will advocate for an efficient international supervision mechanism and ensure that the special responsibility of judges and lawyers to protect the human rights of all persons and to uphold the rule of law is taken seriously and applied vigorously.

The complete text of the Declaration on Upholding Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Combating Terrorism can be downloaded below (PDF-file). More information on this Declaration, as well as on the ICJ, can be found at: www.icj.org