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This paper explores the threat to human security from terrorism and counterterrorism strategies. Using the cases of Boko Haram and Taliban operating from Nigeria and Afghanistan, we explain how the threat of terrorism is aggravated by state countermeasures. What appears as a confrontation between the government and terrorist groups ends up harming civilians as collateral damage. After a review of academic literature, government reports, and documents from local and international organizations, this study assesses the ways human security is undermined as a result of terrorism and counterterrorism activities. It argues that the ambiguity in the definition of terrorism is undermining the state's obligation to international law and recommends that counterterrorism be treated as a process rather than a military campaign.
INTRODUCTION
Since the events of 9/11, the world has witnessed an increasing shift from the traditional understanding of security, the threat of non-state actors and measures needed to prevent threats to national security. The methods used by terrorists and the threat they pose continue to grab the attention of law enforcers, policymakers, and citizens alike. Governments, on the other hand, are attracted to the spotlight because of their infringements on human rights and security in their attempts to respond to radicalization and terrorism.1 Local and international organizations, as well as human rights activists are raising red flags over the infringement of basic rights that guarantee human security by governments and terrorist groups. Some of the areas in which terrorism and counterterrorism strategies threaten human security include: the right to life, safeguarding individuals against torture, fair and due process in trials, personal security, liberty of the individuals, socio-economic and cultural rights, targeted discrimination, and profiling of persons. In some cases, governments have used the narrative of "war against terrorism" to undermine the independence of the judiciary, religious freedoms, freedoms of expression and association, silencing journalists as well as diversion of resources that would otherwise be used to provide social services and development to the security sector. However, cognizance is made that these same rights also act as obstacles to effective war on terrorism leading to divisions between advocates of human rights and those of human security. Firstly, there are proponents who believe that human security should help develop the existing framework of human rights and,...