A/HRC/16/50 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 15 December 2010 Original: English Human Rights Council Sixteenth session Agenda items 2 and 3 Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism Summary In the present report, submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 13/26, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights highlights recent developments including the reaffirmation by the General Assembly of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, activities of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism (Counter-Terrorism Committee) and its Executive Directorate, and other developments related to the regulation of private military and security companies. While recognizing the immense, persistent challenges faced by Member States in combating terrorism and safeguarding the security of individuals within their jurisdiction, the High Commissioner for Human Rights continues to be deeply concerned at the erosion of respect for due process, including the right to a fair trial, in the context of counterterrorism policies and practices. In the present report, the High Commissioner identifies issues of concern including challenges to human rights and due process guarantees in relation to the Security Council individual sanctions regime, and other practices which impede the right to a fair trial in the context of counter-terrorism, such as the use of intelligence in criminal justice processes. GE.10-17779