Counter-terrorism, organized crime and human rights: The risks of conflating legal frameworks

When? Thursday 22 October 2026 / 13.15–14.30

Where? UNHQ, Conference Room D - REGISTER

Background

In recent years, several States in the Americas and one in Africa have expansively applied counter-terrorism law to address drug trafficking organizations, cartels, maras, gangs and other forms of organized crime, including through their designation as terrorist organizations. While the political term “narco-terrorism” emerged in the 1980s in reference to drug cartel violence, it has reappeared to justify new securitized responses to drug crime. The term has no meaning in international law.

Although terrorism and organized crime may intersect, they are distinct phenomena governed by different legal frameworks and policies. The Special Rapporteur’s 2026 reports to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/61/52) and General Assembly (A/81/227) underscore the importance of preserving these distinctions, including between terrorism as politically motivated violence and organized crime primarily pursued for financial benefit.

The growing tendency to characterize profit-driven criminal groups as “terrorist” organizations raises serious human rights concerns. It has facilitated exceptional migration, detention, and removal measures, including deportations, resulting in violations of international human rights and refugee law, including the obligation of non-refoulement.

In parts of the Americas, intensified military responses to organized crime, together with “narco-terrorism” narratives justifying exceptional security measures, have raised serious concerns about compliance with international law, including the rights to life, security of person, and liberty, and the rights of vulnerable groups such as Indigenous Peoples and peasants.

The convergence of the “war on drugs” and the “war on terror” is of particular concern in Latin America. While organized crime-related violence and criminal governance pose serious threats to security and human rights, decades of experience have demonstrated the limitations of heavily militarized and protracted emergency responses without addressing the structural drivers of violence and insecurity or effectively reducing drug trafficking and violent crime.

Information and registration

The event will be held in person only at United Nations Headquarters in New York. No interpretation will be provided.

Participants are kindly requested to register via the following link: REGISTER

Registration will also allow participants who do not hold a UN grounds pass to obtain one to access UN Headquarters and attend the event; they are therefore encouraged to register by COB Sunday 18 October.

Please note that registration is mandatory. Kindly address any questions or concerns regarding this event to annabelle.bonnefont@un.org