On March 6th 2017, the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the Council of Europe in cooperation with James’ Foundation, organised a Roundtable discussion under the thematic «Human Rights and Security: An Inherent Tension?». The event took place at the premises of the Council of Europe and was part of the program of the Cyprus’ Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
Key Note speakers of the event were H.E. Mr. Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh, former Prime-Minister of Jordan and former Vice-President of the International Court of Justice, Mr. Jean Paul Costa, President of the René Cassin Foundation and former President of the European Court of Human Rights and Mr. Constantinos Lycourgos, Judge at the European Court of Justice. Moderator of the discussion was H.E. Mr. James Droushiotis, President of the James Foundation.
The discussion dealt with one of the greatest challenges of International Law now-a-days, the interpretation of the relation between human rights and national security. The speakers together with the vivid participation of the audience, discussed about the threats to national security as a timeless phenomenon and the measures to protect national security in relation with the need to fully respect and protect human rights. The role of independent judiciary to secure human rights under conditions such as the state of emergency and other measures relevant to the need to face such phenomena like counter terrorism, was also discussed.
The event was attended by Permanent Representatives to the Council of Europe, Members of the Diplomatic Missions, High Officials of the Council of Europe and experts dealing with Human Rights’ Issues.