Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Capacity Building to Counter Terrorism in Fragile Institutional Contexts: Lessons From Development Cooperation

Terrorism Capacity Building

International efforts to combat terrorism cannot be pursued effectively through enhanced security measures alone. As West German parliamentarian Manfred Coppick noted in his remarks before the Bundestag more than three decades ago, “Doing away with basic constitutional principles does not save lives, but it does create conditions under which peaceful, democratic development in a constitutionally grounded state is imperiled and human rights are threatened . The fight against terrorism is not won by emergency laws but by the resolute application of existing law coupled with adherence to constitutional principles and an unflagging devotion to creating greater social justice.” Striking a balance between responding to exceptional security threats and maintaining commitments to the global principles of human rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law has long been a dilemma for states targeted by terrorism.