From 9/11 to Today: The Political Impact of Terrorism on Human Rights
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65496/jssme.2025.51Keywords:
Emergency measures, Human rights, International conflicts, legan conflicts, TerrorismAbstract
In the light of contemporary terrorism and security policies, especially after the events of September 11, 2001, the protection of human rights has become increasingly complex. Although extensive research has been conducted on counter-terrorism, little attention has been paid to the analytical perspective of academic experts on the impact of security policies in conflict-affected societies. This study addresses this gap by examining the political impact of terrorism on human rights from the perspective of academic experts in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. This study used a qualitative research design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 political science professors from private universities, and the data were analyzed through thematic analysis to identify underlying patterns and recurring themes related to security, emergency measures, and the protection of human rights. The study findings show that long-term and disproportionate security measures severely restrict freedom of expression, personal privacy, and the right to a fair trial. The study also shows that the lack of a clear definition of terrorism creates legal ambiguity and often blurs the line between terrorism and national liberation movements. The main conclusion of this study is that effective counterterrorism is possible only when there are transparent laws, proportionate emergency measures, and a serious commitment to international human rights standards, so as to achieve a sustainable balance between security and freedom.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sana Gul Tarahkil, Imranullah Akhtar (Author)

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