DEFINITION OF TERRORISM AND EU COUNTER-TERRORISM POLICY
Last modified: 30.09.2020
Abstract
The article dwells on the problem of the definition of terrorism. This term, though usually commonly understandable, is a legal term, the definition of which is not yet universally adopted. The threat of terrorism, taking upon different forms, is always relevant and the efforts to contain it continue. Thus the definition of the phenomenon and its elements is crucial in such efforts. The analysis is relevant as internationally this term is still not defined in one universal legally binding document and there are questions on its exact scope. The article explains two elements that are usually considered essential in defining terrorism. Furthermore, the article dwells on the EU efforts to contain the threat and in particular on its efforts to prevent terrorism – that is, actions taken to counter terrorist radicalisation.
Keywords
EU counter-terrorism policy; prevention of terrorism; radicalisation
References
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Barnidge, R. P. Jr. (2008) Terrorism: Arriving at an Understanding of a Term. In Glennon, M.J.; Sur, S. (eds.) (2008) Terrorisme et droit international/Terrorism and international law. Leiden/Boston: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.
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UN Commission on Human Rights (2001). Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. Terrorism and Human Rights. Progress report of the Special Rapporteur, Kalliopi K. Koufa. 27 June 2001. No. E/CN.4/Sub.2/2001/31. Retrieved from https://www.refworld.org/docid/3d5a2cd30.html
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Vasiliauskienė, V. (2014). Kova su terorizmu tarptautinės humanitarinės teisės kontekste. Doctoral dissertation. Vilnius: Vilnius University.
Walter, C. (2003) Defining Terrorism in National and International Law. In: Walter, C. et. al. Terrorism as a Challenge for National and International Law: Security vs. Liberty? Berlin: Springer.
World Digital Library (2020) Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of Terrorism. Retrieved from https://www.wdl.org/en/item/11579
Bakker, E. (2015) (2015) EU Counter-radicalization Policies: A Comprehensive and Consistent Approach?, Intelligence and National Security, 30:2-3, 281-305.
Barnidge, R. P. Jr. (2008) Terrorism: Arriving at an Understanding of a Term. In Glennon, M.J.; Sur, S. (eds.) (2008) Terrorisme et droit international/Terrorism and international law. Leiden/Boston: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.
Council of the European Union (2004). EU Plan of Action on Combating Terrorism. No. 10586/04. Retrieved from http://register.consilium.europa.eu/doc/srv?l=EN&f=ST%2010586%202004%20INIT
Council of the European Union (2005a) The European Union Counter-Terrorism Strategy. No. 14469/05. Retrieved from https://register.consilium.europa.eu/doc/srv?l=EN&f=ST%2014469%202005%20REV%204
Council of the European Union (2005b). The European Union Strategy for Combating Radicalisation and Recruitment to Terrorism. No. 14781/1/05. Retrieved from http://register.consilium.europa.eu/doc/srv?l=EN&f=ST%2014781%202005%20REV%201
European Commission (2010). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council: The EU Internal Security Strategy in Action: Five steps towards a more secure Europe. No. COM(2010) 673 final. Retrieved from https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52010DC0673
European Commission (2020) Counter Terrorism and radicalisation. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/counter-terrorism_en
European Commission (2020) Fight against the financing of terrorism. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/counter-terrorism/fight-financing-terrorism_en.
European Parliament and Council (2017). Directive (EU) 2017/541 of 15 March 2017 on combating terrorism and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA. Official Journal of the European Union, L 88, 31 March 2017.
EUROPOL (2019) European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report. Retrieved from https://www.europol.europa.eu/activities-services/main-reports/terrorism-situation-and-trend-report-2019-te-sat
Pranevičienė, B., Vasiliauskienė, V. (2019). Challenges for European security policy: issues of the prevention of radicalization in the context of the right to religious education. JOURNAL OF SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES. 2019 June Volume 8 Number 4.
UN Commission on Human Rights (2001). Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. Terrorism and Human Rights. Progress report of the Special Rapporteur, Kalliopi K. Koufa. 27 June 2001. No. E/CN.4/Sub.2/2001/31. Retrieved from https://www.refworld.org/docid/3d5a2cd30.html
United Nations (2013). Draft comprehensive convention against international terrorism. Retrieved from https://www.ilsa.org/Jessup/Jessup08/basicmats/unterrorism.pdf
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2020) Treaty-based crimes of terrorism - universal counter terrorism instruments. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/terrorism/module-4/key-issues/treaty-based-crimes-of-terrorism.html
Vasiliauskienė, V. (2014). Kova su terorizmu tarptautinės humanitarinės teisės kontekste. Doctoral dissertation. Vilnius: Vilnius University.
Walter, C. (2003) Defining Terrorism in National and International Law. In: Walter, C. et. al. Terrorism as a Challenge for National and International Law: Security vs. Liberty? Berlin: Springer.
World Digital Library (2020) Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of Terrorism. Retrieved from https://www.wdl.org/en/item/11579
