The latest annual report issued by the United Nations Secretary-General on terrorism and human rights has addressed many of the concerns raised by Alkarama in its submission to UN human rights mechanisms.
Alkarama provided a brief yet significant contribution highlighting major human rights violations committed in the name of the “war on terror” particularly in the Arab world but also globally. Alkarama denounced practices that undermine core human rights principles, such as the vague legal definitions of terrorism, the lack of fair trial guarantees and due process and the increasing misuse of the term “terrorism” to target activities unrelated to violence including civic engagement and migration issues.
The UN report echoed Alkarama’s concerns regarding overly broad counter-terrorism laws in several states, which criminalize ill-defined acts under the label of terrorism, enabling the repression of peaceful dissent and freedom of expression. It notes that some governments use these laws to restrict press freedom, the right to peaceful assembly and human rights advocacy while disregarding fair trial safeguards.
The Secretary-General also stresses that counter-terrorism efforts must fully comply with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. He warns that security measures must not become tools of repression targeting civil society and peaceful opposition a longstanding concern at the heart of Alkarama’s mandate since its creation.
The report further expresses growing alarm at the normalization of the “terrorist” label to criminalize non-violent conduct such as opinion expression, journalism or activism. Such misuse undermines the credibility of counter-terrorism strategies and leads to serious violations of civil and political rights. The Secretary-General therefore calls for a precise legal definition of terrorism that prevents arbitrary expansion of the concept. The report makes clear that such a definition must exclude criticism of or peaceful opposition to governments.
The report also examines the complex relationship between counter-terrorism policies and the protection of human rights. Many states particularly in the Arab region have adopted security measures invoking national safety that, in practice, violate international standards. Drawing on field research and UN documentation, the report demonstrates how these exceptional laws are being used to restrict freedoms and silence independent voices.
Alkarama’s Contribution
Alkarama submitted its contribution on 14 April 2025 as part of the preparation of the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of Resolution 78/210. This document, to be presented to both the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, is part of a broader international initiative to document violations committed under the guise of counter-terrorism.
Resolution 78/210, adopted by the General Assembly, calls on states to respect their international human rights obligations in the context of counter-terrorism. It mandates the Secretary-General to assess the compliance of national legislation and practices with international standards, drawing in particular on contributions from civil society organizations such as Alkarama.
In its submission, Alkarama highlights structural flaws in counter-terrorism legislation and its incompatibility with international human rights norms, especially in the Arab world where the organization has been active since 2004. It emphasizes that these laws often drafted in vague or ambiguous terms serve to criminalize peaceful opposition and reinforce state repression. The organization cites emblematic examples, including Article 87 bis of Algeria’s Penal Code, and the “rehabilitation” centers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that function as de facto extrajudicial detention facilities.
The submission also sheds light on less visible violations linked to digital surveillance and financial controls carried out under national security pretexts. In countries such as Jordan, the UAE and even France, such measures severely infringe upon privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of association. The case of academic and political scientist, François Burgat, prosecuted for “glorifying terrorism” based on an excerpt taken out of context illustrates the dangers of loosely defined offenses, where the line between critical analysis and incitement to violence becomes perilously blurred.
On the issue of foreign fighters also addressed in the Secretary-General’s report, Alkarama recalls the symbolic example of former Guantánamo detainees, who continue to suffer from detention without trial, torture, and the absence of legal protection. The organization also highlights the transfer of detainees to certain Arab states notably the UAE without adequate safeguards, exposing them to further abuse and depriving them of any prospect of reintegration. This reality is mentioned in the UN report in general terms but without detailing the cases.
Despite repeated calls from NGOs and civil society, many states still refuse to reform their counter-terrorism frameworks. This refusal justified by rigid security discourse reflects a political will to maintain exceptional measures during peacetime under the pretext of combating terrorism.
Finally, Alkarama welcomes that the Secretary-General’s team has largely incorporated its recommendations and observations and fully supports his renewed call for deep legal reforms, the strengthening of civil and political rights, genuine international accountability and a counter-terrorism strategy grounded in the rule of law, transparency and respect for human rights.