Problems and Prospects of Implementing UN Action against Terrorism

The article deals with two related problems in implementingUnited Nations action against terrorism: first, the ineffectivenessof deterrence when terrorism is motivated by beliefs powerfulenough to provoke suicide attacks; second, the risk that therule of law will be undermined if criminal justice measuresdo not prevent terrorism. A prospective common solution is todevelop aggressive and effective preventive measures explicitlydrawn from rule of law standards. A number of preventive strategies,as well as one evidentiary measure and one international cooperationdevelopment, are discussed. The goal to be achieved is the integrationof human rights guaranteed by the rule of law into a preventivecriminal justice strategy. When terrorist violence is preventedrather than merely punished, and human rights are protected,respect for the rule of law will be not merely safeguarded,but enhanced.