Description
9-11 has led some to question whether existing international law is adequate to address the threat of terrorism. For example, do the traditional rules on the law of war apply to the new war on terrorism? To what extent is the use of force justified in responding to terrorism? Do existing human rights norms make sufficient allowance for the need to gather information from suspected terrorists? This course will examine the role of international law in addressing terrorism, and the extent to which the threat of terrorism requires us to fundamentally rethink the categories and doctrines of international law. Topics will include: (1) what is terrorism?; (2) state vs. individual responsibility for terrorism; (3) the criminal law approaches to terrorism; (4) is there a "war" on terrorism?; and (5) what treatment should suspected terrorists be accorded?.
