The Threat of Terrorism: Putting Human Rights to the Test : Assessing the Counterterrorist Policies of France in the Aftermath of the 13th of November 2015 Terrorist Attacks 

Abstract:

The terrorist attacks that occurred in Paris on the 13th of November 2015, mark a shift for counterterrorism in France. Indeed, the magnitude of the terrorist attacks persuaded the French government to call for stricter counterterrorist policies. However, the effects of these measures on human rights have been interrogated widely. Therefore, in this thesis, I wish to address the conflict between state security and individual human rights. First, I will assess if the current situation of France in relation to terrorism, call for these tough restrictions on human rights. Then, I present the ethical implications of rights restrictions in this particular conflict of interests. Finally, I analyse a few of these measures in more detail in order to evaluate if there are grounds on which to allow the restrictions of rights and if so, under what conditions. I conclude by stressing the risks of curtailing rights especially under the threat of terrorism.