Defence of democracy against terrorism in Europe
Recommendation 941
(1982)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 28 April 1982 (4th Sitting) (see Doc. 4878, report of the Political Affairs Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 28 April 1982 (4th Sitting).
- Thesaurus
The Assembly,
1. Having taken note of the report on the defence of democracy against terrorism in Europe, submitted by its Political Affairs Committee (
Doc. 4878) ;
2. Having regard to its Recommendations 852 (1979) and 916 (1981) ;
3. Observing that, far from abating, the assault by terrorism on the values and institutions of pluralist, parliamentary democracy and on human rights is spreading to other Council of Europe member countries, affecting further sectors of domestic life in our societies and seeking to impair relations between the Western countries ;
4. Also observing the development of links between the various terrorist movements both in individual countries and throughout Western Europe, as well as the emergence of links between subversive forces in our region and similar forces in other regions and continents ;
5. Aware of the need for closer and more effective understanding between member states in combating and repelling, with democracy's full resources, the increasingly intensive and concerted assault by terrorism ;
6. Welcomming Committee of Ministers' Recommendation No. R (82) 1 of 26 January 1982 as an important step towards solving problems concerning co-operation between member states for the purpose of suppressing terrorism ;
7. Hoping that further progress will be made in the co-ordination of joint efforts to defend democracy against terrorism, in particular by a legal, judicial and legislative approach more suited to the nature of the problem, a more resolute, cultural and moral condemnation of subversive violence, a more incisive campaign by the mass media, and extensive mobilisation of public opinion, especially among young people ;
8. Noting that two member states of the Council of Europe (Ireland and Malta) have not signed the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism, and that six among the signatory states (Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland) have not yet ratified it,
9. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :
a devote all due attention to the question of the entry into force of the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism, and hence carry out a survey, as advocated in paragraph 13. a of
Recommendation 916, of prospects for ratification of the convention by all member states ;
b examine the situation regarding ratification by both member and non-member states of the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations and the United Nations Convention on Internationally Protected Persons ;
c study, in consultation with the Assembly and in conjunction with such initiatives as it may take, the most appropriate ways of developing joint action by member states, the United States and Canada against terrorism in countries with a system of pluralist, parliamentary democracy ;
d support the proposal made by several member states at the CSCE meeting in Madrid for an undertaking by all signatory countries of the Helsinki Final Act to co-operate positively in the suppression of terrorism ;
e carry out the proposal in paragraph 13.h of
Recommendation 916 for the setting up of a Study and Documentation Centre on the causes, prevention and suppression of terrorism, with governmental and parliamentary support and a contribution from non-governmental organisations.
