The HRCP also spells out its concerns about changes to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). By all means, the state must fight terrorism, but not at the expense of the rights of the ordinary citizen. Law-enforcement agencies must not be given carte blanche to fire at will without warning, make people ‘disappear’, mine the copious flow of electronic data that crowds the ether without check or balance and circumvent the rule of law under the guise of being its upholder. Lawlessness cannot be fought with lawlessness, and there is a real risk that agencies of all types are now being empowered in ways that are open to abuse and lack transparency and accountability. Now is the time for the government to lead from the front, deliver on promises and do both with transparency and clarity.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2013.
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