Threats to Human Rights in the Contemporary Period
Threats to Human Rights in the Contemporary Period

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the evolution of terrorism throughout the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, highlighting its profound impact on international security and on the exercise of fundamental rights. The growing influence of political Islam and the rise of fundamentalist movements are identified as key factors in the intensification of violent actions, further amplified by globalization and modern communication technologies. The attacks of 11 September 2001 represent a global turning point, ushering policies in a new phase of security and reshaping the balance between freedom and protection. The response of the United States and other states involved the adoption of intrusive measures – legitimate only when proportional – that affected areas such as freedom of movement, privacy, and communication. The difficulty in fighting against terrorism lies in confronting non-state, globally dispersed actors, leading states to restrict individual liberties in the name of security. The article emphasizes that defeating terrorism requires not only short-term military action but also a long-term “battle of ideas” grounded in democracy and natural human rights. Ultimately, it argues that democracy cannot be imposed by force or foreign intervention; rather, it must emerge gradually through indigenous efforts, the strengthening of local civil institutions, and sustained civic education.

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