?The topical issues of terrorism, aviation law and security, passenger-screening, documentation, human rights issues, watch lists and no-fly lists form part of my doctoral dissertation, and I wanted the public to have another view behind these acts of terrorism. What is of significance in the immediate aftermath of the Detroit incident is the apparent haste to rush through approval of full-body scanners at Dutch, Nigerian, American, Canadian, UK airports, and perhaps, which is now under consideration in Trinidad and Tobago. The Spanish Government is to take additional measures, but not the introduction of controversial body scanners without the full acceptance by the European Union. Acts of terrorism are very harmful and adversely impact on human rights. Thus, states do have a right to protect their citizens and public safety in general, as well as to co-operate with generally-universal standard guidelines.
Tightening security at whose expense?
The repercussions of that Detroit incident have prompted increased personal scrutiny of the travelling public with body scanners, further erosion of privacy, and a plethora of privacy, health, and data retention issues. These human rights issues may head to the courts, leaving the judiciary to strike a balance in times of emergency, and to uphold the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms. Does anyone care when one of the last bastions of human dignity and respect is paraded in the public square, in the name of aviation security and protection against terrorism? Previous anti-terrorism measures have resulted in discrimination, ethnic profiling and inequality of treatment.
State collusion with acts of terrorism?
The general population may not be too familiar with those who control the international media, and the vital cogs of covert operations and deceptive propaganda. In 1962, former US Chief of Staff Lyman Nemnitzer outlined a plan (called Operations Northwoods–available online) to create terror on the streets of Miami, and involved the killing of innocent citizens to be used as a pretext for the invasion of Cuba. This plan involved the use of "false flags," lookalike MIG aircraft remotely-controlled, and use of demolition and designated, manufactured incidents that would pave the way for the invasion of Cuba. Even the allegations surrounding the 9/11 events are still being researched. Many have suggested that the events of that horrific day would have entailed elements of intelligence agencies, state apparatus and a select cadre of highly-placed individuals.
September 11 provided a "window of opportunity" for the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the advancement of US hegemonic and global energy security interests, as outlined in The Project For the New American Century (PNAC), as well as the giant corporate interests of Wall Street and international security firms. One of the most lucrative growth industries of our times is the "terror" business. To sustain that industry, as well as to achieve political, foreign policy and financial purposes, it appears that "continued and calculated acts of terrorism will continue to sustain the war on terror," whilst simultaneously inducing public fear, intimidation and vulnerability.
Health impact of body scanners
Dr Sarah Burnett, an independent radiologist, in an interview with the London Evening Standard, noted that "it is illegal to expose people to any level of radiation without medical justification." Radiation can damage the body's reproductive DNA," while Dr Gill Markham, from the Royal College of Surgeons, urged passengers not to worry, as the dose is so low that it is unlikely to cause harm. However, Dr Markham's view is refuted by a leading US expert on the biological effects of X-radiation. Dr John Gofman, Professor Emeritus, of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, noted that "there is no safe dose level of ionising radiation. Furthermore, Dr Gofman's studies indicate that "radiation from medical diagnostics and treatment is a causal co-factor in 50 per cent of America's cancers and 60 per cent of (our blood flow blockage) heart disease." It was also reported in the London Guardian, that "the body scanners could break child protection laws, as people under the age of 18 will have to be exempted from these proposed full-body scans."
Trinidad and Tobago's approach
Profound concerns will arise in relation to the justification of full-body scanners, its proportionality and necessity in a democratic society. Even if such action has to be taken, it must be accompanied by adequate and strong safeguards. While the government's duty is to protect the public and the democratic way of life, a proper balance is necessary between the common international aviation standards, constitutional safeguards and fundamental rights and freedoms. It is recommended that the Government consider the European Parliament Resolution of 23 October, 2008, on the impact of aviation security measures and body scanners, on human rights, privacy, personal dignity and data-protection.
It is necessary to carry out an impact assessment relating to fundamental rights, scientific and medical health concerns, as well as an economic, commercial and cost-benefit impact analysis before embarking on such a measure. Rafi Sela, a leading Israeli security consultant at Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, believes that in reference to Canada, "that nation can provide safer and less expensive aviation security by focusing on the behaviour of passengers, instead of investing resources in increased baggage searches and new scanning technology." Staff is trained to watch for signs of stress, nervousness and other behavioural indicators.
Liberty dies by inches
Since the events of 9/11 and the enactment of anti-terrorism legislations, there has been a tremendous assault on civil liberties and human rights, and doubts arise as to whether this latest measure can actually make an impact on the global "war on terror." As terrorism expert, Paul Wilkinson, noted, "the primary objective of any counter-terrorist strategy must be the protection of and maintenance of a liberal democracy." Australian scholar, Christopher Michaelsen, stated that "liberal democratic countries nations like the USA and the UK have been very influential in the development of human rights standards, and they bear a particular burden to uphold these rights, even in the gravest of emergencies." However, it appears that liberty is dying by inches, and the international public seem to be progressively yielding their fundamental rights for a supposed state security that may never exist.