From 9/11 to Today: The Political Impact of Terrorism on Human Rights

The protection of human rights is of great importance to international states, but after the terrorist attacks of 2001, this value faced serious challenges. The events of September 11 not only changed international security policies but also led to the tightening of anti-terrorism laws in many countries, which led to the restriction of fundamental human rights. Freedom of expression, personal privacy, the right to a fair trial, and freedom of movement are the areas that have been most affected. This study aims to examine the relationship between the threat of terrorism and the restriction of human rights and to assess the extent to which states interfere with the rights of individuals in the name of security. The study was conducted through a qualitative method; in addition to international legal documents, research materials, and official reports, 15-minute semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 professors from private universities and political science faculties in Nangarhar province. The findings show that the effects of strict security policies practically result in a decrease in the level of human rights. The conclusion is that maintaining a balance between security and rights is vital. The study recommends that governments establish transparent laws, independent oversight mechanisms, and strictly implement international human rights standards.