News

[29/04/09] Participation in Eminent Jurists Panel on Terrorism, Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights On 28 April 2009, the Council of Europe hosted a lunchtime briefing on “Assessing Damage, Urging Action: The way forward for counter-terrorism in Europe. Eminent Jurists Panel on Terrorism, Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights”. This event, organised by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and sponsored by Dick Marty, Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Crime Problems and the Fight against Terrorism, highlighted some of the key findings of the Eminent Jurists Panel report; one of the most comprehensive inquiries into the impact of counter-terrorism measures on human rights. The briefing was attended by Dick Marty and Gerald Staberock, Director of the Global Security and Rule of Law Initiative (ICJ), and moderated by the Council of Europe Anti-Terrorism Co-ordinator, Mr Alexandre Guessel. (more)
[20/02/09] The Council of Europe participated in the 6th Worldwide Security Conference organised by the EastWest Institute (EWI) and co-sponsored by the World Customs Organization (host) and Italy in its role of Chair of the G8. The Conference brought together experts from all over the world with the aim to establish relations between governments, businesses, civil society and mass media representatives in order to consider joint action to combat terrorism. The Conference took place on 18-19 February 2009 in Brussels, Belgium, at the World Customs Organization headquarters. Agenda
Joint CoE/OSCE/UNODC Workshop on Enhancing International Legal Co-operation related to Terrorism [29/01/09] On 28-29 January 2009, the Council of Europe, the UNODC and the OSCE organized a Workshop on Enhancing International Legal Co-operation related to Terrorism, including the Drafting of Requests for Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance in Neum (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The workshop focussed on the analysis of legal and technical instruments to enforce the international co-operation on mutual legal assistance and extradition in terrorism-related criminal cases. Agenda
Council of Europe, OSCE and UN discuss terrorism prevention in the context of intercultural dialogue [11.07.08] On the occasion of the annual High-level Tripartite meeting on 7 July 2008, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the United Nations and partner organisations discussed different aspects of intercultural dialogue and their collaboration in this area. In the Joint Communiqué adopted at the end of the meeting, the participating organisations stressed the role of international instruments to combat terrorism and called upon states to encourage inter-religious and cross-cultural dialogue with a view to reducing tensions and, in this manner, help to prevent terrorist offences. They underlined the continuing need to address the conditions conducive to radicalisation and the spread of terrorism, while seeking to intercept and prosecute terrorists and counter terrorist networks. Joint Communiqué
CoE organised a Counter-Terrorism Training Workshop in Pristina [26/05/08] At the invitation of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the Council of Europe organised a Counter-Terrorism Training Workshop in co-operation with the UNMIK/Kosovo Special Prosecutor’s Office (KSPO) which took place in Pristina on 3 and 4 June 2008. The aim of this two-day event was to provide training on the international legal framework for co-operation on counter-terrorism issues, with an emphasis on questions of mutual legal assistance and extradition, as well as existing technical assistance tools for facilitating such international co-operation. Moreover, participants examined key issues regarding the protection of human rights while fighting terrorism.	Workshop on Enhancing International Legal Co-operation related to Terrorism, including the Drafting of Requests for Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance [22.2.08] The Council of Europe, the UNODC and OSCE organised a Workshop on Enhancing International Legal Co-operation related to Terrorism, including the Drafting of Requests for Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance on 1-2 April 2008 in Ankara (Turkey). The aim of this two-day national workshop was to provide training on the international legal framework for co-operation on mutual legal assistance and extradition in terrorism-related criminal cases, and on existing technical assistance tools for facilitating such international co-operation in criminal matters. Agenda
Council of Europe convention against terrorist financing enters into force [30.04.2008] “Following the money trail is one of the most important ways of fighting terrorism and organised crime. Quick access to information on assets held by criminal organisations, including terrorist groups, is vital to successful prevention and prosecution of terrorism”, said Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. (more)
First International Conference on Radicalisation and Political Violence, London, 17-18 January 2008 [17.1.08] Terry Davis, Council of Europe Secretary General, delivered a keynote speech at the first International Conference on Radicalisation and Political Violence held in London, 17-18 January 2008. ''A really effective fight against terrorism is one which respects and protects human rights and fundamental freedoms rather than sacrificing them in the short-sighted hope that terrorism can be defeated by undermining the very foundations of the society which the extremists are set to destroy.'' said the Secretary General.
European Union supports the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism On the occasion of the entry into force of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism on 1 June 2007, the EU Presidency issued a statement endorsing the Convention.		OSCE supports Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism On 5 December 2006, OSCE Ministerial Council adopted a Decision calling on participating States to consider becoming party to and to implement their obligations under the existing international and regional legal instruments, including the Council of Europe’s Conventions on Cybercrime (2001) and on the Prevention of Terrorism (2005).
Council of Europe joins OSCE to discuss protection of victims of terrorist acts The High-Level Meeting on Victims of Terrorism followed an initiative of the Spanish Chairmanship of the OSCE and was organised by ODIHR in Vienna, 13-14 September 2007. - Agenda - Council of Europe publication “Victims – Support and Assistance (2006)” - Recommendation Rec(2006)8 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on assistance to crime victims		Combating racial discrimination in the fight against terrorism On 29 June 2007, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) adopted General Policy Recommendation N° 11 on combating racism and racial discrimination in policing. The Recommendation results from ECRI's concerns that cases of racism and racial discrimination in policing, including racial profiling, have intensified and taken on a new dimension, particularly as a result of the fight against terrorist crime.
Second parliamentary report on secret detentions On 27 June 2007, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe backed the second report on Secret detentions and illegal transfers of detainees involving Council of Europe member states prepared by Senator Dick Marty. In its Recommendation 1801 (2007) adopted after the report, the Assembly called upon European governments to look into the need for democratic oversight of military intelligence services and foreign intelligence services operating on their territory. See also the special file.		Intelligence and Accountability On 2 June 2007, the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) adopted a Report on the Democratic oversight of the security services. Acknowledging that intelligence is an inescapable necessity for modern governments and that security services, by their very nature, impinge on individual rights, the report examines the need for limits to their activities, ways to make security services accountable and complaints mechanisms for individuals adversely affected by security or intelligence services.
Council of Europe and the European Union sign an agreement to foster mutual co-operation against terrorism Gunter Gloser, German Minister of State for Europe and Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the Commissioner for External Relations, on behalf of the European Union and Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on May 23 in Strasbourg. The agreement creates an institutional framework to reinforce partnership in areas of common interest including the fight against terrorism. (more…)		Human Rights Commissioner voices concern over methods of terrorist profiling Strasbourg, 29.05.2007 - In an opinion article available copyright-free, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights voices concern that new forms of terrorist profiling have led to unacceptable discrimination against Muslims and people who appear to be of Middle-Eastern origin. Thomas Hammarberg argues that European governments should rather encourage community policing and draw up long-term measures with a view to preventing the causes of terrorism.

The Council of Europe organised a series of Anti-Terrorism and Human Rights Training Seminars for Turkish law-enforcement authorities, in Ankara between March and November 2007. The seminars were addressed to governors, officials and police officers. They dealt with ECHR standards with a special focus on the different mechanisms for supervising law enforcement bodies, the fight against terrorism and the exercise of fundamental freedoms. (more).
European Prosecutors discuss terrorism The Council of Europe organised a European Conference of Prosecutors in Warsaw on 4 and 5 June 2007 on the subject of "International Co-Operation in the Criminal Justice Field". Prosecutors from the Council of Europe's 47 member states discussed ways of intensifying co-operation between prosecution services in the criminal justice field, to target more effectively serious crime, including terrorism. Press release	Advancing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has published the proceedings of the Symposium on “Advancing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy”, which took place in Vienna on 17 and 18 May 2007. The Council of Europe, an active supporter of the Strategy, took part in the Symposium to contribute its experience and legal expertise.
Council of Europe and OSCE encourage all levels of society to prevent terrorism The Council of Europe contributed its vision and experience as a pan-European organisation in the Political Public-Private Partnership Conference on “Partnership of State Authorities, Civil Society and the Business Community in Combating Terrorism” organised by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on 31 May–1 June 2007. Contribution of the Council of Europe	Russian Federation: Council of Europe organised a Counter-Terrorism Workshop for public prosecutors in Moscow, 1-2 March 2007. Co-organised by the Council of Europe and the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation, the workshop focused on international co-operation against terrorism in the light of the legal framework for the prevention and suppression of terrorism.
The Annual High-level meeting between the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the UN to discuss the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy took place in Vienna on 13-14 February 2007 Joint Communiqué	Council of Europe and Interpol step up co-operation On 17 January 2007, the Council of Europe adopted Recommendation Rec (2007) 1 to member states regarding co-operation against terrorism between the Council of Europe and its member states, and the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO - Interpol). Explanatory memorandum
Joint OSCE-Council of Europe Expert Workshop on Preventing Terrorism The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) organised a joint Expert Workshop on Preventing Terrorism: Fighting Incitement and Related Terrorist Activities in Vienna (Austria) on 19 and 20 October 2006. Agenda - Summary	Council of Europe joins international organisations to discuss protection of human rights in the fight against terrorism The Council of Europe participated in the Technical workshop on Human Rights and International Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism which the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights organised together with the Government of Liechtenstein in Vaduz, 15 - 17 November 2006. Agenda
Council of Europe teams up with UN and OSCE against terrorism The Council of Europe participated in the Second Sub-regional Expert Workshop on International Co-operation on Counter-Terrorism, Corruption and the Fight against Transnational Organised Crime which the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) organised, in co-operation with the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe, in Bucharest, 13-15 November 2006. Agenda	Council of Europe and UN co-operate on the fight against terrorism in Bosnia and Herzegovina The Council of Europe and UNODC organised a meeting on Technical assistance on Legislative Implementation and International Cooperation in combating terrorism together with the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo on 1 November 2006. It resulted in the adoption of a Plan of Action for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Agenda - Plan of Action