07/10/2011 Bureau
Meeting this morning in Strasbourg, PACE Bureau adopted the following statement:
“The Bureau of the Assembly is deeply shocked by the terrorist acts recently committed in Norway and Turkey, and condemns these massacres in the strongest terms. Terrorism remains the greatest threat to the universal values of human rights and the rule of law, seeking to impose the views of a minority on the majority, thus undermining democracy itself. No political or religious motivation or ideology can ever justify calculated murder whose aim is to intimidate. Every act of terror, regardless of the reason given for it, must be considered a crime against all of us.
Terrorists do not defend principles; they seek to propagate hatred and barbarity. Like the deluded perpetrator of the bloodbath in Norway, they seek to create a nightmare world of extremism, threats and scapegoats, with the aim of undermining our societies.
Terrorism must be met with swift, strong and effective counteraction. But, as the Assembly declared on Thursday 6 October 2011 when it adopted Lord Tomlinson’s report on Human rights and the fight against terrorism, there should be no “trade-off” between human rights and effective counter-terrorist action. Existing human rights standards – which have been tested by many terrorist outrages in different parts of Europe – already provide governments with the flexibility they need to keep their populations safe.
Equally importantly, the roots of extremism need to be understood and addressed with resolve. The Bureau sees this as one of the most important challenges for the Council of Europe in the coming years. Europe is multicultural. Intercultural and inter-religious dialogue are one precious asset in making this a reality. Treating minorities fairly is another.
Both terrorist acts in Norway and in Turkey cruelly targeted those whom society cherishes most: the young, who are its future. The Bureau honours those who, even in such painful circumstances, remain firm in their conviction that human rights, the rule of law and democracy should be the main responses to such terrible events. It remains convinced that terrorists can be stopped, and effectively brought to justice, while remaining true to these principles, which lie at the heart of Europe’s identity.”