UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/HRC/4/88 9 March 2007 Original: ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Fourth session Item 2 of the provisional agenda IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 60/251 OF 15 MARCH 2006 ENTITLED “HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL” Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism* Summary The present report is submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council decision 2/102 and provides an update on recent activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the protection and promotion of human rights while countering terrorism. The High Commissioner addresses the protection and promotion of all human rights, as well as effective counter-terrorism measures, as complementary and mutually reinforcing objectives which must be pursued together as part of States’ duty to protect. The report outlines the position of the High Commissioner in relation to specific human rights concerns which arise in international cooperation in countering terrorism, notably those related to the detention and transfer of individuals suspected of terrorist activity; procedural obligations; and individual sanctions against terrorist suspects. The report concludes with the identification of a number of practical challenges related to judicial cooperation in the context of counter-terrorism. * The present report was submitted after the deadline in order to reflect the most up-to-date information. GE.07-11752 (E) 140307