UN HRC52: Statement on human rights while countering terrorism
At the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UK delivered a statement on human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
Thank you, Mr Vice-President.
The UK would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her latest Report on the implications of the development, use and transfer of new technologies, and for her contribution to the promotion of human rights in countering terrorism over the course of her six-year mandate, which is drawing to a close this summer.
The UK strongly believes that to be truly effective, our counter terrorism and counter violent extremism efforts must respect human rights.
In line with this, the UK welcomes the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur. The use of biometric information helps us combat terrorism, but it must be used in compliance with human rights law. The UK stands ready to engage with member states to support this objective, building our capability and capacity to counter terrorism whilst protecting and promoting human rights around the world.
With this in mind, we would like to ask the Special Rapporteur what more could be done by States to ensure that human rights are respected in the deployment of new technologies when it comes to countering terrorism.
Thank you.