'Acts of terror most heinous violation of human rights'

New Delhi: Taking up the cause of the human rights violations of the victims of terrorism, Union Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that acts of terror were the most heinous violation of the human rights of terror victims.

Any debate on human rights only highlights the rights of the terrorists and perpetrators of terror and not of the victims, the minister stressed, who is leading Indian delegation at the Commonwealth Law Ministers' Conference held in the Bahamas on 16-19 October 2017.

Participating in the discussion on counter-terrorism and the use of ICT, the minister said that India had long been a victim of the most vicious terrorism unleashed from across the border.

He added that India condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations and that there could be no justification for any terrorism.

The minister underlined the need for working together to address the concerns of cybersecurity, data privacy, concerted attempts to control money-laundering and proceeds of crime as well as to prevent misuse of the Internet for terrorism and hatred.

Prasad informed the delegates of the Commonwealth nations that India is not only working towards ensuring a robust data protection regime but is also committed to create a safe and secure cyberspace.

Emphasising the need for using data analytics and cyber forensics for better investigation of terror attacks, the minister felt that there is a need for greater cooperation for discouraging the use of social media for fermenting terror, spreading hatred and for fomenting radicalisation.

Prasad also flagged that the non-state terror actors thrived and flourished at the behest of state actors who promoted terrorism and urged the Commonwealth community to work together with India in developing global mechanisms to combat terrorism.

Following India's intervention, the Commonwealth Law Ministers decided to call upon social media platforms to take suo-moto measures to ensure that these platforms are not misused by terrorists.