The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (“OHCHR”), under the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, has issued a call for input on the relationship between counter-terrorism law, organized crime, and human rights. According to the OHCHR, the input received will inform the Special Rapporteur’s thematic report on “Counter-terrorism law, organized crime and human rights”. The report will be presented to the General Assembly in October 2026.
The call seeks input to better examine the negative human rights impacts involved in treating organized crime as terrorism, including the risk of expanded state powers and reduced procedural protections, and how these impacts can be avoided. Specifically, it aims to clarify the legal relationship between the two types of illicit activity and the frameworks applicable to each, as well as the legal implications that this relationship has for human rights protections. The Special Rapporteur is seeking input on a variety of questions, spanning areas including:
- The application of counter-terrorism measures to organized crime and its impact on human rights;
- Legal definitions and classifications of terrorism and organized crime, and the challenges in distinguishing between them in certain contexts; and
- The effectiveness of current law enforcement frameworks addressing organized crime, and possible alternative approaches.
The call is set against a backdrop of increasing use of counter-terrorism frameworks to address organized crime, particularly in relation to drug trafficking groups. The Special Rapporteur has raised concerns that such approaches may blur important legal distinctions and contribute to adverse human rights outcomes.
For charities and NFPs operating internationally, particularly those operating in higher-risk areas, this initiative presents an opportunity to contribute to the development of international policy in this area. As a result, organizations with experience in these areas should consider providing input to ensure that their practical experiences are reflected in the report.
Input and comments must be submitted by email to hrc-sr-ct@un.org by July 1, 2026, and may be submitted in English, French or Spanish.