Conor Gearty explains how terrorism is a noxious concept and the global north’s obsession with it deeply unhealthy
Conor Gearty argues powerfully and convincingly that liberal democracies have always maintained double standards when it comes to terrorism. Image: Boris Zhitkov/iStockConor Gearty’s Homeland Insecurity is a superbly written study unveiling the damage that the contemporary obsession with terrorism has on liberal democracies. As the book’s subtitle suggests, antiterrorism law is here to stay, as are pernicious effects on rights and liberties that go with it.
“Terrorism” found new political uses during the cold war, as western experts in the 1980s argued that the Soviet Union was calling the shots behind the scenes of violent campaigns from Belfast to Berlin and Beirut. Spinning local grievances into a transnational crisis benefited defenders of the status quo. Among these experts was one, then the permanent representative of Israel to the United Nations.
Much UN antiterrorism architecture developed thereafter, and Resolution 1373, was used as the rationale for expeditionary and domestic counter-terrorism in ways that clashed with the UN’s purported commitment to human rights. Antiterrorism zeal did not go entirely unchecked. The UN special rapporteurs on protecting human rights while countering rerrorism did much to highlight the caustic effect that the obsession with antiterrorism was having globally.
Northern-Ireland Palestine Israel
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
LIVE updates: Conor Quinn v Conner Kelsall and Pierce O’Leary v Darragh FoleyStream information, start time, undercard results and more from the SSE Arena in Belfast
Read more »
Belfast Brawl Boxing: Time, TV channel info, live stream, fight times and morePierce O'Leary meets Darragh Foley while Conor Quinn meets Conner Kelsall.
Read more »
Ian Garry's son's Conor McGregor impression leaves UFC icon in fits of laughterThe Dubliner's son left Daniel Cormier in stitches.
Read more »
Conor McGregor wants to find 'Hawk Tuah girl' after watching viral videoThe video, which has been seen millions of times across multiple social media channels since it was first posted on TikTok, shows a young woman being asked questions on a street
Read more »
Ian Garry desperate to put on a show for Ireland in Conor McGregor's absenceThe Portmarnock striker was due to fight on the same card as his MMA hero this weekend but will instead be the only Irish star on the card.
Read more »
The Racket by Conor Niland: Lonely tennis locker room conveyed with deft touchAn honest and droll memoir from the top-ranked Irish male player in decades
Read more »