The Council of Europe Committee on Counter-Terrorism (CDCT) held its 5th Plenary meeting via videoconference on 17-18 November 2020.

The Committee approved the Guidelines on the Links between Terrorism and Transnational Organised Crime and the Explanatory Memorandum of the Guidelines.

Delegations also discussed two draft recommendations on very important issues, namely the Recommendation on measures aimed at protecting adolescents against radicalisation for the purpose of terrorism and the Recommendation on the use of information collected in conflict zones as evidence in criminal proceedings related to terrorist offences, which will be approved in early 2021.

The Committee reaffirmed the vital importance of the Council of Europe’s practical tools in the fight against terrorism, such as the 24/7 Foreign Terrorist Fighters Network of Contact Points, the Network of Contact Points for the exchange of information regarding the legal standing of victims of terrorism, and the Tool for the preliminary evaluation of the risk that a terrorist attack may be carried out by radicalised persons.