The project at a glance
Counter-Terror Pro LegEm, stands for Counter-Terror Project: a Legal Empirical Approach and is a scientific research project (2019-2024) funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and hosted by the University of Geneva.
Terrorism is considered as one of the most important security threats of our times by the United Nations Security Council (e.g. Resolution 2462 (2019), preamble §2). The risk of attacks on European soil, in particular in the light of returning so-called foreign fighters, as well as the phenomenon of radicalization of individuals leading to “violent extremism” are subjects of international concern. For almost two decades now, States have been adopting numerous measures individually and collectively in order to prevent and combat terrorism and “violent extremism”. Such measures must be effective and compliant with international law. However, this is impossible without a better understanding of the terrorism phenomenon and of the applicable international legal frameworks and their interplay. Providing such an understanding is the broad objective of this project.
More precisely, assessing the legality of counter-terrorism measures requires understanding (1) the origins of terrorism and violent extremism and (2) the functioning and structure of terrorist networks. To date, however, there is a clear disconnect between international legal analysis and social science models in relation to terrorism. This project will bridge this gap and provide new tools by using and developing social science empirical studies to enhance legal assessments of counter-terrorism measures under both international human rights law and international humanitarian law. This project is thus an inter-disciplinary endeavour that is mainly anchored in international law while including a social science component.
TRACK 1:
Are contemporary counter-terrorism measures effective?
Do they involve unnecessary restrictions to our human rights?
TRACK 2:
What is the structure of contemporary terrorist networks?
Do they qualify as “organised armed groups” for the purpose of international humanitarian law and who can be considered as belonging to such groups?
field research:
How can we better understand the process of radicalisation and how militant networks are able to attract, recruit, and mobilise support?
EXPECTED OUTPUTS:
Towards developing high-level academic publications and practice guidance for States and International Organisations by integrating international law and social sciences.
