Combating terrorism

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details September 2017
Publication Date September 2017
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‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings aim to provide Members of the European Parliament with systematic and automatic analysis on all substantial proposals for EU legislation at every stage of the legislative procedure. Each contains an account of the purpose, content and legal aspects of the legislation proposed, in particular analysing what the legislation would change, as well as any previous legislation and the background. An overview of stakeholders’ views is also provided, as well as the opinions of national parliaments and the two advisory committees.

They are all made publicly available for stakeholders and the public.The phenomenon of foreign fighters travelling to conflict zones, mostly in Syria and Iraq, represents a growing threat for the EU and its Member States. Most of the recent terrorist attacks in Europe were perpetrated by 'home-grown' terrorists, and at least some of the perpetrators proved to be returned foreign fighters.

On 2 December 2015, the European Commission presented a proposal for a directive on combating terrorism, aimed at updating the current framework on criminalising terrorist offences and at bringing EU legislation into line with international developments, such as the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 and the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism. The proposal extends the list of offences, to cover receiving of terrorist training, travelling and attempting to travel abroad for terrorism, and funding or facilitating such travel, and also includes provisions on the protection of victims.

The proposed directive was criticised by several human rights and civil liberties defenders for its possible impact on fundamental rights.

An agreemen on the proposal was reached by co-legislators in November 2016. It was submitted for a first-reading vote in the February II 2017 European Parliament plenary.

After completion of the legislative procedure at first reading in the European Parliament and Council of the European Union, the final act was signed in March 2017. Member States were required to transpose the new directive into national law by 8 September 2018.

Author: Sofija Voronova

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/608682/EPRS_BRI(2017)608682_EN.pdf
Related Links
EP: EPRS: Briefing: EU Legislation in Progress http://epthinktank.eu/eu-legislation-in-progress/
ESO: Background information: Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA on combating terrorism: Implementation Appraisal http://www.europeansources.info/record/framework-decision-2002-475-jha-on-combating-terrorism-implementation-appraisal/
EUR-Lex: Proposal for a Directive ... on combating terrorism and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA on combating terrorism - COM / 2015 / 625 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1468572055073&uri=CELEX:52015PC0625
Statewatch, 23.11.16: New counter-terror powers coming after hasty, secret negotiations on EU Directive completed http://www.statewatch.org/news/2016/nov/eu-ct-dir-final.htm

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