Chairs
Arianna Vedaschi; Chiara Graziani

Combating terrorism remains one of the most formidable challenges facing the global community. In recent years, terrorism has assumed increasingly complex forms, shaped by evolving geopolitical conflicts, rapid technological advancement, and shifting patterns of social unrest. This workshop seeks to foster critical discourse on the constitutional dimensions of counter-terrorism from a comparative perspective, placing particular emphasis on the legal and institutional responses adopted in recent years. It will bring together scholars from diverse regions to facilitate dialogue and generate comparative insights.

The workshop will address several contemporary themes, including, but not limited to:

The interface between counter-terrorism and emerging technologies: The intersection of counter-terrorism and new technologies—particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI)—demands rigorous scrutiny. Governments worldwide are experimenting with AI-driven surveillance, predictive analytics, and biometric systems to identify and prevent terrorist threats. Whilst these tools promise enhanced security, they raise profound constitutional questions, including safeguards for individual rights such as privacy, data protection, and freedom of expression, as well as broader principles such as proportionality, transparency, and accountability. A core objective of the workshop will be to examine how constitutional frameworks can reconcile digital innovation with human rights obligations.

The interplay between terrorism and armed conflict: The relationship between terrorism and ongoing conflicts underscores the blurring of boundaries between counter-terrorism and the Law of Armed Conflict (International Humanitarian Law). The resurgence of large-scale warfare, often waged through hybrid means, has provided fertile ground for terrorist groups to recruit, mobilise, and adapt. States have responded with legal measures that frequently traverse the domains of emergency powers, military law, and international cooperation. The workshop will explore how constitutional systems manage this overlap, considering the tensions between national security imperatives and adherence to democratic standards.

The migration-terrorism nexus: This has become a politically sensitive and legally contentious issue. States have introduced border controls, vetting mechanisms, and restrictions on asylum as integral components of their counter-terrorism strategies. These measures raise questions regarding the compatibility of counter-terrorism with obligations concerning refugee protection and the core principles of equality and non-discrimination. The workshop will assess how to harmonise security concerns with commitments to human dignity and freedom of movement.

The resurgence of domestic terrorism and violent extremism: Often rooted in nationalist, religious, or ideological movements, these threats have emerged with particular intensity within advanced democracies, testing the resilience of constitutional orders from within. Legal responses to domestic extremism entail striking a delicate balance between the protection of political freedoms and the suppression of violent movements. Comparative perspectives will explore how different jurisdictions define, monitor, and prosecute such activities whilst preserving democratic values.

By addressing these interrelated challenges, the workshop aims to deepen understanding of how constitutional law adapts to an era in which terrorism is simultaneously globalised and localised, technologically enabled, and deeply intertwined with migration and armed conflicts. Contributions from both junior and senior scholars are invited, encouraging an intergenerational exchange of perspectives and methodologies.

Papers may engage with theoretical, doctrinal, or empirical approaches, offering a comprehensive understanding of the field.