Forcibly Displaced: The Human Cost of Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Efforts

Strategic Insights -

The international community's efforts to combat terrorism often lead to the displacement of individuals and communities, exacerbating existing human rights crises and leaving millions without access to basic necessities like food, water, shelter, and healthcare. According to Ben Saul, the UN Special Rapporteur on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the past year has seen alarming examples of counter-terrorism measures escalating into wider conflicts, resulting in displacement and violence against civilians. In his statement marking the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, Saul highlighted the need for States to recognize the victims of terrorism and State human rights violations, and to provide adequate assistance to those displaced.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 2.1 million displaced people have returned to Afghanistan, with half forced to leave by Iran and Pakistan.
  • Tens of thousands of displaced people, mainly women and children, remain detained in North-East Syria.
  • Forced displacement has occurred in fragile, conflict-affected and low-income States, including Somalia, Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Sahel region.
  • Counter-terrorism efforts can result in displacement, as seen in the hostilities between India and Pakistan after India responded to a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The UN Model Legislative Provisions to Support the Needs and Protect the Rights of Victims of Terrorism emphasize the need to equally recognize the victims of terrorism as well as of State human rights violations.
  • Many displaced people face serious difficulties in accessing basic necessities like clean water, food, shelter, schooling, livelihood opportunities, and land for cultivation or livestock.
  • Accessing healthcare is particularly challenging, with people being forced to borrow money to pay for their children's treatment.
  • Displacement increases vulnerability to sexual violence, particularly for women and girls.
  • Governments in low-income countries often make considerable efforts to support displaced people, but the alarming global cuts to foreign aid and the United Nations liquidity crisis are undermining these efforts.
  • The African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention) should be fully implemented.
  • The international community must redouble efforts to assist displaced people, particularly in low-income, conflict-affected States.

Statistics:

  • Over 2.1 million displaced people returned to Afghanistan in the past year.
  • Tens of thousands of displaced people, mainly women and children, remain detained in North-East Syria.
  • Half of the displaced people returning to Afghanistan were forced to leave by Iran and Pakistan.
  • Over 2 million people have been displaced due to terrorism and counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel region.
  • The global cuts to foreign aid have resulted in the closure of rape crisis centers in Somalia, leaving victims of conflict-related violence without vital services.

Sources:

  • United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights press release on the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.