PART A EXECUTIVE SUMMARY General Recommendations and Observations4 • The Advisory Council condemns all acts of terrorism. Terrorism is a violation of victims’ human rights and such acts (particularly against civilians) cannot be justified, whatever the motive.5 States have a duty to protect potential victims from such human rights violations. • Any comprehensive response to terrorism must include measures to eliminate conditions that may allow terrorism to flourish. The protection and promotion of universal human rights is one such measure. • Regional and international co-operation is essential in order to combat terrorism (particularly international terrorism) in all its manifestations. • Any counter-terrorism measures must, however, be enacted and administered within a culture of legality and must comply with international law, including human rights instruments and standards. • This culture of legality and the rule of law can only be secured with a competent and independent judiciary and legal profession. • The Advisory Council expresses its concern that there is a widening gap between commitment to international human rights standards and their implementation in national laws and administrative practices insofar as they relate to counter-terrorism measures. In particular, the Advisory Council draws attention to the following disturbing practices: o Administrative detention for prolonged periods without charge or opportunity for adequate judicial review; o Detention without notification to the family of the date and place of detention; 4 The Advisory Council also draws attention to the resolution of the Pre-Forum NGO Consultation set out in Appendix 9 with which we are in substantial agreement. 5 See for example the comments in Security Council Resolution 1269 On the responsibility of the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security, 19 October 1999; S/RES/1269 (1999). 10