The influence of counter terrorism measures on civil society: cases from El Salvador and Israel

The afternoon session of the conference ‘Counter Terrorism Measures, Security and Development’ presented the opportunity to hear directly from participants about the influence of terrorism and counter terrorism measures on their work. In parallel working groups, very concrete cases were presented, describing the situation in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Israel, Lebanon, Sudan, Colombia, El Salvador, Kazakhstan, USA, Europe.

In particular, Marta Lorena Araujo Martinez, president of CRIPDES, presented what is happening in El Salvador, were her organisation has been accused by the government of terrorism and has been targeted by CTMs. Herself and thirteen other co-workers have in fact been imprisoned and are currently under conditional liberty [see a series of related videos].

CRIPDES is an organisation working with rural communities and it is opposing several neo-liberal reforms that the government is undertaking in El Salvador; in particular CRIPDES is demanding for the non privatisation of water and health. For this reason, it has been accused of terrorism, and CTMs have been applied, showing clearly how these can and are used to target civil society organisations that strive to defend human rights and bring about social change.

(video in spanish)



From his side Luis Frankenthaler from PCATI, a human rights NGO, presented the case of Israel, pointing out how terrorism and counter terrorism are defined in his country and what's the implication of this for the society. In general, in Israel there is the perception that “who is against Israel is a terrorist” and the ‘security’ language is much stronger than the ‘human rights language’.
In this picture, illegal practices such as torture have somehow being legitimized.

The human rights community has therefore to ‘reclaim’, ‘re-appropriate’ the discourse while being self critical. It is important to create discussion in the public sphere, mainstreaming the issue of torture and raise public awareness on it, also involving people not associated with human rights CSOs.

Counter terrorism measures and the challenges for civil society

Delivering the first key note presentation at the conference on ‘CMTS, security and development’, Prof Alan Fowler was tasked to frame the terms of the debate and provide provocative food for though to the discussion.

According to Mr. Fowler, poverty reduction has never been a strictly ‘domestic’ issue; however, for the recent development on the global scene, now poverty oversees is reflecting in insecurity at home, thus acquiring a domestic dimension. This implies a different definition of what aid is about, with poverty reduction progressively becoming not an end in itself anymore. In other words, ODA is becoming more integrated into country’s security and geopolitical interests.

In this picture, according to Mr Fowler the combination of developing practice and security imperatives presents clear challenges that civil society need to tackle.



Firstly, for Mr. Fowler it is important to ask “how to bring together counter terrorism measures, which try to promote stability and security for people, with the respect for social justice, the protection of human rights and the realisation of effective development practice.”

Secondly, he suggests “looking with some care” and ensuring that CSOs are not exploited in their role. CS is considered as an “ambivalent factor: it is part of the problem, and at the same time it is part of the solution to the problem itself.”

The CMTs conference presented a great opportunity for civil society to engage in the debate and make some steps forward on those two main challenges.

See video interviews