The article is devoted to the study of ethical and legal dilemmas arising in the international legal struggle against terrorism. The relevance of the topic is determined by the global nature of the terrorist threat and the need to respect human rights when implementing counter-terrorism measures. International legal acts, state practices, and case law of international courts are examined, with a focus on contradictions between security interests and fundamental human rights. The purpose of the study is to identify the optimal balance between the effectiveness of security measures and compliance with international human rights standards. The novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive comparative legal analysis that reveals both universal tendencies and national peculiarities. The practical significance is the possibility of applying the conclusions to improve legislation and law enforcement practices.