About The
Global Study

The Global Study was written and presented by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, with Megan L. Manion and Alyssa T. Yamamoto.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism was created to promote and ensure protection of human rights by recommending rights-complaint counter-terrorism legislation and policies, providing support, technical assistance, and expertise to States, UN entities, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders. The mandate was established (HRC 2005/80) in recognition that as incidents of terrorism continue, the misuse of legislation and policies to combat terrorism have grown with an adverse impact on human rights and fundamental freedoms.

This mandate was created to:

• Promote and ensure the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms by recommending rights-compliant counter-terrorism legislation and policies;
• Offer support, technical assistance, and expertise to States, UN entities, civil society and other relevant stakeholders; and
• Be responsive to the shifting landscape of counter-terrorism and anticipating long-term needs and strategies.

Since 1 August 2017, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin has been the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

Acknowledgements

The Global Study was made possible through the generous support of Member State contributions to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, specifically the Government of Germany and the Government of Spain. The Study was further supported by the Friedrich Ebert-Stiftung Foundation (NY) and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law. The Global Study was supported in all aspects by the Human Rights Center at the University of Minnesota Law School.

The Special Rapporteur extends her deep appreciation for the investment, trust, and contributions of civil society to the Global Study that have informed these data, findings, and ways forward to protect and promote civic space. The Study was written by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, with Megan L. Manion and Alyssa T. Yamamoto.

Our Contributors

All inputs to the Global Study are available on the website of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism & human rights. In 2022, the Special Rapporteur issued a call for inputs to the Global Study. 108 inputs were received, including 76 submitted by civil society organizations, 16 by Member States, 5 by the United Nations, 2 by regional organizations, and 9 other stakeholder inputs. The Special Rapporteur recognizes the invaluable contribution of these inputs to the Global Study.

The below list of contributors excludes inputs that were submitted with requests to remain confidential.