Challenges Of Counter-Terrorism Strategies And Human Rights In Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the political costs and consequences of counterterrorism strategies; x-rayed the challenges democratic governments face in confronting terrorism; examined the experiences of Nigerian counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices. The paper using secondary data established that counterterrorist policies have the potential to undermine the democratic principles, institutions, and processes they seek to preserve. This demonstrates the effects of hastily drawn policies on civil liberties and constitutional norms. It concluded that preventing and countering terrorism is now a key policy priority for many liberal democratic states; and the political costs of confronting terrorism if not properly verified in most cases overshadows the main objective of countering terrorism. This is because both terrorist acts and counterterrorist strategies are political actions. The paper noted that terrorist designation lists are now more wide-spread internationally than ever before.