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Police powers and human rights in the context of terrorism

Richard Stone (University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK)

Managerial Law

ISSN: 0309-0558

Article publication date: 1 July 2006

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Abstract

Purpose

The object of the paper is to analyse the justifications for the modification of police powers in response to terrorist threats, placing this issue in a European context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper consists of a critical examination of provisions relating to terrorism emanating from the European Union and the Council of Europe (European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)), and the relevant English law on police powers of stop and search, arrest, and detention.

Findings

Nothing in European law requires the amendments to police powers contained in English law; European law requires respect for human rights, even in dealing with terrorism; a shoot‐to‐kill policy is prohibited by the ECHR; and balance is an unsatisfactory method of resolving conflicts in this area.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited in its scope to certain areas of police powers, and to certain fundamental European documents. Future research should consider the issue in relation to wider areas.

Originality/value

It challenges the idea of balance between liberty and security, proposing a test based on necessity instead.

Keywords

Citation

Stone, R. (2006), "Police powers and human rights in the context of terrorism", Managerial Law, Vol. 48 No. 4, pp. 384-399. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090550610681213

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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