Developments in Human-Rights and Humanitarian Law Ariring from the Impact of the Fragmentation of International Law on the Concept of Terrorism

The proliferation of international decision-making authorities have led to developments in terrorism as regards its concept, extension, relationship with the law of armed conflict as well as human-rights law. The authorities have taken significant steps to define terrorism. For instance, the Security Council has defined terrorism for the first time, and has affirmed the possibility to recourse to self-defense against terrorist activities. Compared to the ICJ, the approach of the Security Council seems to be more advanced. Indeed, the Council has established a law-making function for its self. This is unprecedented in terms of international law and the practice of the United Nations. With respect to the necessity of observing human rights for persons accused of terrorism, the judgments and resolutions of different authorities articulate that UN member states are not free to take any action in the name of fighting terrorism. It will be argued that the proliferation in international decision-making authorities, such as the ICTY and the ICTR, as well as regional authorities such as the European and American human rights courts, has had a positive impact on the concept of terrorism in line with human rights standards.