Human Dignity and Human Security in Times of Terrorism

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

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2. Setting the (Conceptual) Scene

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Introduction

      • Christophe Paulussen, Martin Scheinin

      Pages 3-11

   3. Human Dignity, Human Security, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism

      • Martin Scheinin

      Pages 13-25

   4. Restoring Trust in the Rule of Law

      • Ernst Hirsch Ballin

      Pages 27-32

3. Actors, Operations and Measures

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 33-33

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   2. Exporting Human Security in the Cause of Counter-Terrorism

      • Clive Walker

      Pages 35-65

   3. Dignity Denied: A Case Study

      • Helen Duffy

      Pages 67-96

   4. Human Security Versus National Security in Anti-Terrorist Operations: Whose Security Does the Margin of Appreciation Serve?

      • Sofia Galani

      Pages 97-121

   5. Remedying Violations of Human Dignity and Security: State Accountability for Counterterrorism Intelligence Cooperation

      • Sophie Duroy

      Pages 123-151

   6. Stripped of Citizenship, Stripped of Dignity? A Critical Exploration of Nationality Deprivation as a Counter-Terrorism Measure

      • Sangita Jaghai, Laura van Waas

      Pages 153-179

   7. ‘Killing Rats in the Street’ for the Paramount Human Right of Security: The Law and Policy of China’s People’s War on Terror

      • Daniel Sprick

      Pages 181-205

   8. Framing Foreign Fighting: Exploring the Scope of Prevention and the Categorisation of Fighters in International Law

      • Marnie Lloydd

      Pages 207-238

4. Criminal Justice Context

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 239-239

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   2. Criminalising Foreign Fighter Travel in Order to Prevent Terrorism in Europe: An Illegitimate Assault on Human Dignity?

      • Tarik Gherbaoui

      Pages 241-267

   3. Incitement to Terrorism: The Nexus Between Causality and Intent and the Question of Legitimacy—A Case Study of the European Union, Belgium and the United Kingdom

      • Stéphanie De Coensel

      Pages 269-298

   4. Humiliation of Terrorism Victims: Is Human Dignity Becoming a ‘National Security Tool’?

      • Arianna Vedaschi

      Pages 299-331

   5. The Normalisation of Secrecy in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands: Individuals, the Courts and the Counter-Terrorism Framework

      • Rumyana van Ark (née Grozdanova), Charlotte Renckens

      Pages 333-365

5. Back Matter

   Pages 367-371

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In this book, it is explained that despite a current drop in the number of deaths, terrorism should still be considered a serious and widespread problem. However, the responses to this phenomenon are often more problematic from a long-term perspective. With the human rights framework under serious pressure, this edited volume offers a timely, important and critical in-depth analysis of human dignity and human security challenges in the lead-up, and in the responses, to current forms of terrorism. It aims to map how human dignity and human security can be secured and how law can constitute a source of trust at a time when Europe and the rest of the world continue to be plagued by terrorism.


The authors are both established names and upcoming talent in this fastchanging and exciting field of law. They thoroughly analyse a variety of topical subjects, in more conceptual chapters—for example calling for the humanisation of the security discourse—and in highly practical contributions, in which for instance the Kafkaesque situation in which rendition and torture victim Abu Zubaydah still finds himself today is considered.


This book, which focuses on, but is not limited to the situation in Western countries, aims to inspire not only academics—through further theorisation on the sometimes elusive but important concepts of human dignity and human security—but also practitioners working in the field of countering terrorism. It will hopefully convince them (even more) that following a human rights approach will be indispensable in securing human dignity and human security for all. Even—or in fact: especially—in times of terrorism.


Christophe Paulussen is a Senior Researcher in the Research Department of the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague, The Netherlands and Martin Scheinin is Professor of International Law and Human Rights in the Department of Law of the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy.

• Human Dignity
• Human Security
• Counter-terrorism
• Human Rights
• Rendition
• Torture
• Foreign Terrorist Fighters
• Terrorism
• Citizenship
• Criminal Law Responses to Terrorism

• Research Department, T.M.C. Asser Instituut, The Hague, The Netherlands

  Christophe Paulussen

• Department of Law, European University Institute, Florence, Italy

  Martin Scheinin

Christophe Paulussen is a Senior Researcher in the Research Department of the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague, The Netherlands and Martin Scheinin is Professor of International Law and Human Rights in the Department of Law of the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy.

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