18 December 2024
In our latest research brief, 'The "War on Minorities" Under the Guise of Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism', Beatrice Meretti, Research Assistant at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, critically explores how, under the guise of national security, governments misuse counter-terrorism (CT) and preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) laws and narratives to target minorities and suppress political opposition. Meretti examines the harmful consequences of vague and broadly defined legal provisions that allow states to categorize a wide range of activities—from political dissent and criticism to minority rights advocacy and activism, to simple religious and/or ethnic diversity — as 'extremism' or 'terrorism.'
The paper emphasizes how these frameworks disproportionately affect marginalized and vulnerable groups — including religious and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, migrants, political dissidents and civil society at large — by justifying judicial harassment, repression, and violence. Governments exploit these frameworks to foster a polarized environment, presenting state actions as necessary for national security while undermining fundamental human rights.
Meretti asserts that this pattern of repression is not confined to authoritarian regimes, but also appears in democracies, highlighting the need to examine countries across the political spectrum. By analysing five case studies—Russia, China, India, Egypt, and Hungary — Meretti illustrates how national security rhetoric is used to mask politically motivated actions aimed at consolidating power and reinforcing discriminatory policies. The paper further highlights how the rise of populism has amplified the use of CT and P/CVE laws and narratives, enabling leaders to suppress dissent, curtail diversity, and erode democratic values. Ultimately, Meretti argues that while CT and P/CVE laws are intended to protect citizens from genuine threats, they are increasingly used to weaken democratic institutions and foster a climate of insecurity and polarization.
Adobe
Our recent research brief, Neurodata: Navigating GDPR and AI Act Compliance in the Context of Neurotechnology, examines how effectively GDPR addresses the unique risks posed by neurodata.
Adobe
Our new series of Research Briefs examine the impact of digital disinformation and potential solutions for its regulation
Adobe
This training course will examine how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have been utilized to advance the concept of business respect for human rights throughout the UN system, the impact of the Guiding Principles on other international organizations, as well as the impact of standards and guidance developed by these different bodies.
ICRC
Participants in this training course will gain practical insights into UN human rights mechanisms and their role in environmental protection and learn about how to address the interplay between international human rights and environmental law, and explore environmental litigation paths.
Paolo Margari
This research aims at mainstreaming the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the protection it affords in the work of the UN Human Rights Council, its Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review, as well as in the work of the UN General Assembly and UN treaty bodies.
Geneva Academy
Geneva Academy