New Asser Press publication: “Human Dignity and Human Security in Times of Terrorism”

Following a human rights approach will be indispensable in securing human dignity and human security for all, especially in times of terrorism. This is the main message of the recently published book “Human Dignity and Human Security in Times of Terrorism”. The book, co-edited by Asser researcher Dr Christophe Paulussen and Prof Martin Scheinin, will be launched at an event set to take place on 7 April at the Asser Institute.

The editors highlight that terrorism is still a widespread problem despite a current drop in the number of deaths. However, what is even more concerning from a long-term perspective, they say, is the way we are responding to terrorism.

With the human rights framework under serious pressure, this edited volume offers a timely, important and critical in-depth analysis of human dignity and human security challenges in the lead-up, and in the responses, to current forms of terrorism. It aims to map how we can secure human dignity and human security, and how law can constitute a source of trust at a time when Europe and the rest of the world continue to be plagued by terrorism.

The authors analyse a variety of topical subjects such as calling for the humanisation of the security discourse but also offering very practical contributions. This book, which focuses on, but is not limited to the situation in Western countries, aims to inspire not only academics—through further theorisation on the sometimes elusive but important concepts of human dignity and human security—but also practitioners working in the field of countering terrorism. For more information on the book and to order click here.

Dr Christophe Paulussen is a Senior Researcher in the Research Department of the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague, The Netherlands and Martin Scheinin is Professor of International Law and Human Rights in the Department of Law of the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy.

Human Dignity and Human Security in International and European Law
Dr Christophe Paulussen is the coordinator of the Asser research strand Human Dignity and Human Security in International and European Law. This research strand adopts a human rights approach to global challenges, inter alia in the fields of counter-terrorism, international and transnational crimes, new technologies and artificial intelligence, and historical memory. It examines what it means to safeguard human dignity - also in relation to human security - in these areas.