HUMAN RIGHTS SUFFER UNDER

CAMOUFLAGE OF NATIONAL SECURITY

 

Eric V. Turner, Esq.

Director of Public Education

Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission

 

            It’s time for our government and the American people to calm down and look closely at what costs are being imposed in the zest to combat terrorism.

 

            In the wake of September 11th, and the subsequent anthrax threat, it was only natural to expect that we would want heightened security measures to ensure national and personal security.  Unfortunately, however, some of our leaders appear willing – and perhaps even eager – to sacrifice fundamental human rights in the name of security, gambling that the current “state of emergency” mentality will shield them from public rebuke.

 

            When I refer to fundamental human rights, I mean those rights generally recognized internationally that prohibit unreasonable governmental intrusion into people’s lives and activities and that permit the kind of transparency and freedom that allows the public to observe government records and processes to determine whether there is wrongdoing or corruption and to criticize government as they see fit.

 

            Some examples of our government trampling on human rights in the name of national security include:

 

·     Racial and ethnic profiling.

 

These actions evidence a government way out of control.  These are not merely temporary inconveniences based on the need to ensure public safety.  Rather they are serious breaches of human rights.  In effect, if we continue down this road we are no better than those who support the repressive regimes we profess to abhor.

 

            Furthermore, it’s doubtful that such governmental tactics will reduce or eliminate terrorism.  If anything, it will merely make terrorists shift tactics or perhaps targets.  What it well may result in, however, is an increase in violence in the United States itself.  One of the primary objectives of terrorism is to provoke the ruling elites of a target regime into overreaction.  When it works, the results can be disastrous; this benefits the terrorists.  We have certainly witnessed the violence and destruction in communities in which the police are perceived to use unnecessary force against citizens.  When a group of people feel threatened or frustrated, they are certainly more likely to react violently to the oppressive behavior and blame the government for their situation.

 

            Our current patriotic fervor is also being used by some of our leaders to suppress dissent or even reasoned dialog.  The right to criticize one’s government is a fundamental human right that no one should be required to forego, or be intimidated into foregoing.  It’s simply reprehensible that some government officials have stated that such criticism should be viewed as aiding and abetting the enemy.  To the contrary, no one should feel duty-bound to support the overreactions of our government in the name of some questionable “greater good.”

 

            History has shown that once human rights are lost, they’re difficult, if not impossible, to restore.  While it’s certainly the duty of government to protect our country and defend its citizens, this must be accomplished without violating fundamental human rights.  Indeed, if these rights are marginalized or lost, then the terrorists have clearly had their way.  In the most profound way, we would no longer be the same country because we would no longer have the same essential values – or be true to them.  We must therefore see through the cloak of national security and speak and work against the dismantling of human rights whenever and wherever encountered.