Misuse of anti-terror legislation threatens freedom of expression, warns Commissioner for Human Rights

The Commissioner for Human Rights warned that states must find a balance between taking measures to prevent and punish terrorist activities effectively and upholding human rights in the fight against terrorism. To this end, the relevant national law must contain clearly defined notions and foreseeable consequences of given actions, restrictions on freedom of expression must be strictly necessary to protect national security. Anti-terror laws should not interfere with the right of the people to receive information of public interest. All persons imprisoned for expressing legitimate criticism should be freed and their criminal records cleared.