Hearts and Minds Putting Human Rights at the Center of United Kingdom Counterterrorism Policy

Counter terrorism Human Rights PVE

The coming into office of Gordon Brown as Prime Minister is a natural moment to assess Britain’s approach to counterterrorism. From 2001, the United Kingdom (UK) government pursued a series of counterterrorism policies that violated human rights. Whatever their short-term security benefits might be, these policies have come at a very high price. In addition to their harmful impact on human rights, they have undermined the rule of law, damaged community relations and trust among British Muslims, and squandered the UK’s international reputation as a champion of human rights. It is time for a new approach.