Three
Civil Liberties
HUMAN RIGHTS IN AREAS OF TERRORISM AND INSURGENCY
3.1 Human rightsflourish in a climate ofpeace.They are imperilled in situations ofconflia.
The year 1999 opened with a high promise ofpeace,the Prime Minister having travelled by
bus to Lahore in February. But that prospect was shattered by the full-scale intrusion across
the Line ofControl in Kai^l,and the necessity to reverse and end thatunacceptable stratagem
designed to create new realities on the ground.
3.2 The situation of human rights in Jammu Sc Kashmir thus continued to be gravely
affected by the persistence of conflict and terrorism, challenging the efforts and ability
of those—including those of this Commission—^who sought to promote and protect such
rights despite the prevailing difficulties.
3.3 The relationship between 'human rights and terrorism' is a vexed one. In its
persistent effort to deal with this question, the General Assembly of the United Nations
has, on behalf of the international community, defined with increasing clarity its position
on this matter. The report of this Commission for the year 1998-99 traced the evolution
of thinking at the international level on this issue. This report will not, therefore, repeat
what is contained therein. However, during the period imder review, on 17 December
1999, the General Assembly adopted yet another resolution on this question (A/56/164)
in which, inter alia, it:
□ expressed its alarm that acts of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations aimed
at the destruction ofhuman rights have continued despite national and international
efforts;
□ bore in mind that the essential and most basic human right is the right of life;
□ also bore in mind that terrorism creates an environment that destroys the right
of people to live in freedom from fear;
□ expressed serious concern about the gross violations of human rights perpetuated
by terrorist groups, adding that such acts cannot bejustifiedunder any circumstances;
□ emphasized the importance of Member States taking- appropriate steps to deny
safe havens to those who plan, finance or commit terrorist acts by ensuring their
apprehension and prosecution or extradition;