SOCHUM

Directors

Moderators

TOPIC PREVIEW: CONFLICT BETWEEN HUMAN RIGHTS AND COUNTER-TERRORISM - Terrorism is one of the fundamental challenges facing the nations of our world. Yet, with increased efforts towards reducing terrorist ploys and actions across the world comes the inevitable issue of human rights. It has not been easy for nations to maintain the balance between upholding human rights and fighting terrorism. Proponents of stricter counter-terrorism methods claim that certain rights must be sacrificed in order to ensure safety and peace while advocates of protecting human rights claim that governments should not infringe upon personal liberties. The European Union has several councils/committees discussing the issue and has made moves to combat human rights violations, while making sure that the citizens are not put in danger to any extent; for example, in July 2008, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights released a Fact Sheet on Human Rights, Terrorism and Counter Terrorism. These previous actions of other committees will be important to consider as this committee focuses on the social and humanitarian issues introduced by this conflict of principles.