The Relationship between Terrorism and the Right to Life in light of the International Judicial Precedent

The human right to life is one of the most fundamental and inalienable rights of the human beings. The unconditionally and categorical status of this right is clearly mentioned in various human rights instruments. Despites this fact, there are cases of infringement of this right by the security forces of states under the pretext of the necessity of suppressing international acts of terrorism. Those who are involved in these practices refer to the preemptory nature of the anti-terrorism rules in international law and argue that in order to maintain the international peace and security, some human rights can be derogated or suspended. Although the general idea of suspending some human rights for the sake of peace and security and suppressing acts of terrorism seems compatible with the precedent of international and national human rights courts and tribunals, neglecting the human right to life does not could not be justified by such excuses. The human rights courts and tribunals have repeatedly insisted that the right to life presides all other values in the human society, including the fight against terror.