Focus on terrorism at summit

The detention of terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay is up for debate

Terrorism and the effect it can have on human rights is the subject of a major international conference in St Andrews.

More than 100 delegates from around the world are participating in a series of debates, in bid to pool their knowledge and expertise on security and human rights protection.

The three day event, at the international conference centre, is focusing on issues such as anti-terrorism laws and agreements when dealing with terrorist acts.

It will also examine the impact of emergency laws brought in to protect the public and look at what effect they can have on civil liberties.

One of the main conference aims is to look at the difficulties involved in ensuring that the rights of suspects facing terrorist charges at trials are upheld.

Delegates will also try and gain a better understanding of the problems faced by democracies in preserving the rights of minorities, such as asylum seekers and refugees during periods of terrorist emergencies.

Keynote speakers at the event included the joint Nobel peace prize winner John Hume along with UK MP's and United Nations representatives Michael Ancram and Menzies Campbell.