Fight against international terrorism in Europe

Recommendation 1199 (1992)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

See Doc. 6669, report of the Political Affairs Committee, Rapporteur : Mr Hardy. Text adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly on 5 November 1992.

Thesaurus

1. Since 1986, when the Assembly last dealt with the issue, terrorist incidents have continued to take place in Council of Europe member states.

2. The Assembly unreservedly condemns these criminal acts which have claimed hundreds of innocent lives and caused great human suffering. In addition, terrorism has entailed considerable economic cost and disrupted the daily lives of millions.

3. While most incidents in Europe were the result of domestic extremists, some of the most gruesome attacks were carried out by international terrorist groups, with the backing of certain Middle Eastern states, in particular Libya.

4. The Assembly therefore welcomes and supports United Nations Security Council Resolution 748 imposing sanctions on Libya for its failure to comply with earlier demands by the Security Council, including handing over the individuals held responsible for the bombing of flight Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, and full co-operation with the French authorities' investigations regarding the bombing of UTA flight 772.

5. The Assembly further welcomes the efforts of the TREVI Group which brings together the ministers of the member states of the European Community, responsible for counter-terrorism and other police matters, and which through regular meetings at various levels ensures practical co-operation in the fight against terrorism.

6. In addition, the Assembly considers that co-operation in the Schengen Group, shortly to consist of nine states, can make a useful contribution to reducing the terrorist threat in Europe.

7. The Assembly notes the concern expressed by the authorities of the Council of Europe's new member states from central and eastern Europe that they face a particular terrorist threat. It also notes the request by these member states for close co-operation with those countries which have already acquired considerable experience in combating terrorism.

8. Given the limited geographical scope of the Schengen and TREVI Groups, the Assembly considers that the Council of Europe, as a pan-European organisation, is best placed to offer the co-operation sought by the new central and east European countries.

9. Consequently, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers make provision for renewed activity in the field of combating terrorism, with particular emphasis on co-operation with central and eastern Europe.