Human rights in an age of terror

American expert Bruce Ackerman, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale, will ask what can be done to protect our human rights when terrorism provokes repressive government action. The lecture will specifically focus on British reactions to terrorist attacks.

In the last 5 years we have seen the introduction of two new bills in the UK even though a fully updated Terrorism Act was passed in 2000.

Emergency legislation was pushed through in 2001 in response to the 9/11 attacks in New York. A further and more controversial Terrorist Act was then passed in March this year following the London bombings last July.

The problem at the heart of the debate is that the legislation once pushed through is permanent even though the terrorist threat may be temporary.

Professor Ackerman proposes an ‘emergency constitution’ that enables government to take decisive short term actions to prevent a second strike while prohibiting permanent measures that will destroy our freedom over the longer run.

Hosted by Clare Hall the Ashby lectures, held yearly, are dedicated to the promotion of human values through questioning the nature of life and society. They often concern subjects which have been controversial, in 2003 debating the need for liberalism in Islam and in 2005 the plight of women in East Timor.

Both lectures looked to the future by analysing our social evolution, in faith, and in equality. This year we can expect the same forward thinking as Professor Ackerman proposes ways of safeguarding civil liberties even in a state of emergency.

The lecture will be taking place at 6pm on Wednesday 31 May at the Robinson College Auditorium. Entry is free to all.