Security Intelligence and Human Rights: Illuminating the 'Heart of Darkness'?

摘要

Following some democratization of intelligence in the 1990s, the prosecution of the 'war on terror' since 9/11 has apparently reinforced the incompatibility of secret intelligence and respect for human rights. The primary reason for this is the changed perception of security risks in the context of a 'new' terrorism. The roles of law, rights and ethics in intelligence are discussed with reference to some of the more controversial intelligence activities: informers, interrogation, intelligence sharing, rendition and covert action. Re-invigorated oversight is necessary to protect human rights without hindering agencies' ability to maintain pubic safety.