One of the most fundamental guarantees of human rights and the rule of law is the right to a fair trial which should form a core component of counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices. Consequently, however heinous the allegations made against individuals charged with terrorism offences, they should be afforded a fair trial with accompanying due process in accordance with internationally agreed standards. To do otherwise risks diluting the rule of law within States, as well as furthering terrorist agendas, which often have the undermining of constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed by States to their citizens as one of their main objectives.
Furthermore, any dilution of the right to fair trial risks eroding the protection of other closely related rights, such as the right to life ( Module 8), the prohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment ( Module 9), and rights concerning arrest and detention ( Module 10). Due process guarantees are especially important in terrorism-related trials, which generally carry severe sanctions by way of punishment to reflect their gravity, such as life imprisonment or even capital punishment (see further Module 8). The primary objectives of this Module, therefore, are to identify and discuss international and regional fair trial and due process principles and standards, as well as to examine some criminal justice practices which threaten or undermine such fundamental rule of law guarantees.
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