Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is perceived as a grave threat for international peace and security. Combating terrorism, however, requires compliance with standards of human rights. The criminal justice and compliance with human rights principles in combating terrorism is an important element in efficient action of States against terrorism. In countries like the UK and Spain which have lost more than 5000 people in terrorist acts, the legal and pragmatic approach against terrorism is considerable. In the UK combating terrorism in the framework of distinct anti-terrorism regulations and in Spain within criminal law and criminal justice procedures has resulted in violation of guaranteed principles and rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights.
In present article the anti-terrorism practice of Britain and Spain, as two case studies opposed to human rights principles and in the guise of combating terrorism and national security, will be analyzed.