Mary Robinson accuses governments of using the war on terrorism to ignore civil liberties.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, singled out the United States for criticism accusing it of disregarding international conventions in the wake of the attacks on 11 September 2001.
Mary Robinson criticised the United States over its treatment of Al-Qaeda prisoners has set the tone for a growing disregard by some governments for civil liberties.
Some states have taken the opportunity to clamp down on legitimate opposition, to brand as terrorists those who weren't considered as terrorists before to curtail freedom of expression.
She says that even in developed countries, there has been an erosion of international standards.
Mary Robinson steps down from her role as UN Commissioner on 11 September coinciding with the first anniversary of the attacks.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 September 2002. The reporter is Aoife Kavanagh.
