Respect for human rights in counter-terrorism policing is a precondition for effectively preventing terrorism.
Failure to respect and protect human rights is one of the root causes of terrorism; human rights-compliant policing is key to any effort to counter this security threat. Respect for human rights is thus the cornerstone of law enforcement efforts to counter terrorism.
Police officers are often on the front line. The way they prevent, investigate and respond to terrorism shapes trust in the state. Training helps them do this well — with clarity, confidence and respect for everyone’s rights.
This is why OSCE participating States asked the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to support their efforts. ODIHR provides practical assistance to ensure counter-terrorism work complies with human rights standards.
At the request of a participating State, ODIHR conducts capacity-building activities for law enforcement officials:
✅ Standard, foundational training: The Protection of Human Rights while Countering Terrorism Effectively
✅ Advanced training: Human Rights in Counter-Terrorism Investigations
✅ Tailored courses on protecting human rights while preventing and countering VERLT, e.g., through a community policing approach.
