Human Rights and Terrorism in the Present International Scenario
Keywords:
human rights, terrorism, international scenario, human dignity, natural rights, fundamental rights, protective umbrella, legal protection, constitutional protectionAbstract
The concept underlying human rights in not new, although the name is. The ideology of human right stands upon the fact that human dignity must be protected at any cost. Since these rights belong to human beings because of their very existence, they became operative with their birth. Human rights are rights, which belong to a person as a consequence of being human as a means of human dignity.[1] They are a guarantee of nature for human beings. Due to their origin in nature there rights are also called natural rights.[2] When they are given legal or constitutional protection, they are known as fundamental rights.[3] It can therefore, be said that human rights is the protective umbrella which covers all the rights essential for human beingsReferences
Encyclopedia Britannica defines human rights as those rights that belong to an individual as a consequence of being human. They refer to a wide continuum of values that are universal in character. See Vol. 6, p 137.
In the beginning these rights had strong religious and ethical background. The Greco-Roman natural law doctrine of stoicism was of the view that a universal force pervades all creation and human conduct should be judged according to law of nature. See, Basu, D.D. Human Rights in Constitutional Law, pp. 5-7.
For detail, Part III of the Constitution of India.
The United Nations has also adopted some other important covenants and combinations to protect human right, e.g. Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and, Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
See Khan. Parvez Ahmad, Terrorism in India: An Analysis, 1998 Cr. L.J. journal 168.
The term "State terrorism" is used by academicians and journalists for causing terror by persons in power against general public or persons arrested or imprisoned. "State Terrorism" has probably produced greater political consequences. A Hitler or a Stalin killed more people than all terrorists See Sinha, R.K., and Crimes Affecting State Security: Problems and Recent Trends, pp. 120-209
International terrorism also includes those acts where two or move states are involved in terrorist activities against other states. It may be caused either with or without violence in the time of peace or in time of armed conflicts.
See, Agrawal, Dr. H.O, International Law and Human Rights, Chapter 49
The terrorist attack by Al-Quaeda on World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept 11, 2001 are probably the most important incidents of terrorism since World War II. More than six thousand people lost their lives and thousands injured.
It is also known as "skyjacking".
See, The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, March 18, 2007.
For example, LTTE is the main terrorist problem for Sri Lanka. See, The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, March 09, 2007.
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