Preface

• Author: Craig Forcese; Nicole LaViolette
• Pages: 9-10

ix

Preface

The attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 initi-

ated ver y rapid and profound changes in how states collaborate with

each other to pursue efforts against international terrorism. Given the

unprecedented scale and scope of the measures taken by states at all

levels—multilateral, regional, bilateral, and national—to react to this

threat, it became rapidly clear that research and collective thinking was

necessary to explore how such measures interacted with the interna-

tional human rights law obligations that rest upon states. It was also

important that this dialogue be articulated around all human rights (i.e.,

civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights).

As a non-partisan Canadian institution with a mandate hard-wired

into the International Bill of Human Rights, Rights & Democracy is man-

dated to devise and implement international cooperation programs in

the f‌ield of human rights and democratic development abroad, and also

to foster and support research, education, and discourse regarding in-

ternational human rights law in Canada. Rights & Democracy therefore

participated actively in this collective dialogue on the interplay be -

tween international human rights and anti-terrorism internationally and

in Canada. Among other activities, Rights & Democracy held a seminar

in Ottawa in early 2002 on “Promoting Human Rights and Democracy in

the Context of Terrorism” and was a regular participant in the hearings

held b y the Senate and House of Commons regarding our own Cana-

dian anti-terrorism legislation. Throughout its work, Rights & Democ-

racy was a consistent advocate of a principled and practical approach to