to the fullest extent possible and in light of the limits on derogation imposed by the
ICCPR.
2. Consideration should be given to the removal of the derogation of rights permitted under
the Constitution during an emergency which offend against Articles 7 and 8 of the
ICCPR, namely the freedom not to be subjected to torture, or to cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment, and the freedom not to be held in slavery or servitude
or to be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
3. The definition of ‘terrorist emergency’ in the Suppression of Terrorism Decree and the
definition of terrorism in the Intelligence Service Decree are drafted broadly and may
unintentionally include such activities as a protest that may have resulted in violence and
injury to a person, although that was not its purpose, in contravention of the right to
freedom of expression in Article 19 of the ICCPR.
4. The failure to limit the search powers contained in the Suppression of Terrorism Decree
and the Intelligence Service Decree to persons over the age of 18 is not in accordance
with the ‘best interests of the child’ principle contained in the Article 3 of the CRC.
5. Any detention in respect of anti-terrorism measures should not be arbitrary as the term has
been defined in relation to the prohibition contained in the ICCPR and which is likely to
have become a principle of customary international law to which all States are bound.
6. Counter-terrorism measures should be promulgated by parliamentary legislation, which
allows scope for public participation, rather than by Executive decrees which have the
potential to abridge human rights. The Suppression of Terrorism Decree and the
Intelligence Service Decree should be recast and re-submitted to Parliament for
democratic consideration.
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