ABSTRACT

Freedom from fear and intimidation are essential prerequisites of a participatory democracy. The circumstances in which the state can deprive citizens of their life or liberty determine the extent to which citizens are able to enjoy, if at all, their political and civil rights. If people live in fear of being killed or subjected to torture or ill-treatment by the police, army or security services, randomly stopped and searched or detained without charge or a fair trial, they are unlikely to feel free to speak their mind, engage in protest activity or join the political organisations of their choice.