Human Rights, Anti-Terror and National Security

An introduction to Rights & Democracy's work

Rights & Democracy has been engaged in monitoring the effects of national security laws on civil liberties and human rights for nearly a decade. Following the events of September 11, 2001, Rights & Democracy has tried to ensure that civil liberties and human rights were not unnecessarily compromised in the proliferation of national security laws and anti-terrorism measures.

Rights & Democracy's programme on human rights, democracy and security is focused on the following objectives:

• to enhance public awareness on this issue through publications, seminars and on-going advocacy in cooperation with civil society organizations and governments; and
  
  
• to strengthen the capacity of organizations at the national, regional and international levels who focus on this issue from a human rights and democracy perspective.
  
  
  

Highlights of our efforts in this domain include:

• The organization of a Think Tank on "Promoting Human Rights and Democracy in the Context of Terrorism" in May 2002;
  
  
• The establishment, together with other Canadian organizations, of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, a coalition made up of NGOs, churches, unions, environmental and civil rights advocates, faith groups, and organizations representing immigrant and refugee communities in Canada.
  
  
• Advocacy at the annual session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on the need for the establishment of effective international mechanisms to monitor the compatibility of domestic counter-terrorism measures with international norms and human rights standards.
  
  
• The raising of awareness on the sale of Canadian security and surveillance technology to China and its negative impact on human rights.
  
  
• Participation in an international civil society campaign against mass surveillance.
  
  
• Publication of a report entitled "Canadian Democracy at the Crossroads: The Need for Coherence and Accountability in Counter-Terrorism Policy and Practice" by Iris Almeida and Mark Porret.
  
  
  

Other Rights & Democracy documents on Human Rights, Anti-Terrorism and National Security

• Integrating Democratic Safeguards and Human Rights in Canadian Anti-Terrorism Law and Practice - Presentation by Jean-Louis Roy, President of Rights & Democracy, to the Special Senate Committee on the Anti-Terrorism Act, May 16, 2005
  
  
• Bridging human rights and security - An Address by Jean-Louis Roy, President of Rights & Democracy, May 14, 2004 (Bilingual text in French and English)