LUISA COOLS
Events will be held all over the US today to remember over 3000 victims of the terrorist attacks on The World Trade Centre in 2001.
Today marks the thirteenth anniversary since the beginning of the global war against terrorism.
President Barak Obama’s September 10 speech pledging to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the extremist group ISIS illustrates continued struggle in international security.
Transparency International Turkey Chairperson Oya Özarslan said since 9/11 the world has become less free and there is far less transparency.
“We sacrificed liberty for security,” Ms Özarslan said.
“But I think that in times of shock people are willing to sacrifice their liberty.”
In June 2013, American computer professional Edward Snowden leaked documents exposing illegal national surveillance programs that broke information privacy laws.
Ms Özarslan stressed continued restrictions on civil liberties and people’s right to privacy is unacceptable.
“I think it has also shown to people that you can use any kind of measure to restrict freedom,” Ms Özarslan said.
“There is no end to it.”
Ms Özarslan holds hope for the future in preserving people’s freedoms in the face of security issues and war.
“If you have more openness and much more transparency then you could create a much more secure environment.”
Since Australia is fourteen hours ahead of the US capital Washington DC, 9/11 memorial events in America will take place later this afternoon and tonight.