The Council of Europe has been dedicated since 1949 to upholding human rights, the rule of law and pluralist democracy,
and is determined to combat terrorism which repudiates these three fundamental values. The Council of Europe
has worked in this field since the 1970s but its efforts were stepped up in 2001 following the unprecedented terrorist
attacks in the United States.
The Council of Europe’s activities in the fight against terrorism are built on three cornerstones:
- strengthening legal action against terrorism;
- safeguarding fundamental values;
- addressing the causes of terrorism.
They are based on the fundamental principle that it is possible and necessary to fight terrorism while respecting
human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
The Council of Europe set up two intergovernmental committees of experts: the Multidisciplinary Group on International
Action against Terrorism (GMT), set up in 2001, and the Committee of Experts on Terrorism (CODEXTER) which
replaced the GMT in 2003 and is still active and coordinates the implementation of activities in the priority areas. This
work has resulted in several international instruments and publications.
Leaflet on Council of Europe activities against terrorism
Next meetings
• 11 April 2012 - 3rd Group of
Parties meeting
Agenda - Documents
Country profiles are short reports which provide information on the legislative and institutional capacity of CoE member and observer states to fight against terrorism.
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Leaflet on Council of Europe activities against terrorism
