Response to Terrorism: Military, Political or Legal Approach?

Terrorism is not a new phenomenon; history is replete with heinous terrorist acts perpetrated out of various motives which have taken the lives of countless innocent persons and endangered the security of the people. Now the threat has turned from national to international and there is the fear that its expansion will peril international peace and security.The author looks at reasons of terrorist acts, considers possible responses to them and after pointing out to three military, political and legal paradigms, concludes that the legal approach and its implementation within states as well as in international arena commands more attention, while negotiation diplomacy must be pursued when necessary. The article proposes that violence should not be expected to eradicate terrorism and when there is no way other than military and a war is waged under the supervision of international bodies, humanitarian laws and regulations are binding; thus in prosecuting those accused of terrorist crimes in national or international tribunals, the rights of the accused and the rules of fair trial must be observed.