By Molly Moore, Washington Post
The methods used by the United Nations and the European Union for blacklisting terrorism suspects are “totally arbitrary” and “violate the fundamental principles of human rights and rule of law,” a European human rights panel said Monday.
The Council of Europe’s legal committee urged an overhaul of international regulations so that individuals and groups being blacklisted – which imposes a freeze on assets and a ban on traveling – would have access to evidence against them, rights to a fair trial or impartial review within a reasonable time and compensation for wrongful designation as a terrorist.
“The fight against terrorism is a need that nobody can put into question,” said the panel, which is part of the 47-nation council, Europe’s leading human rights watchdog organization. “But we consider it unacceptable to forego, in the name of this fight, the fundamental principles of a democratic society.”
In a draft resolution to be considered by another council body, the committee said: “If one adds to this picture the practice of abductions (‘extraordinary renditions’), of secret detention centers and the trivialisation of torture, this provides a worrying, devastating message: Principles that are as fundamental as the rule of law and the protection of human rights are optional accessories applicable only in fair weather.”