Torn by climate change, food insecurity, uncontrolled population growth, political instability and terrorism, the Sahel poses an evolving threat on Europe’s doorstep, as the August coup in Mali has once again shown. With more or less success, the EU’s strategy for the region has tried to address the multiple factors of instability but the new action plan for the region will need to take the EU’s and Africa’s new geopolitical interests on board if it is to be more successful than its predecessor

EPRS policy podcast - Understanding the EU Strategy for the Sahel

Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism.&nbsp;Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon.

EU spending in the area of counter-terrorism has increased over the years and is set to grow in the future, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security, such as Europol and eu-LISA.

The action plan to reinforce the fight against the financing of terrorism focuses on two main strands of action: tracing terrorists through financial movements and preventing them from moving funds or other assets and disrupting the sources of revenue used by terrorist organisations, by targeting their capacity to raise funds.

In April the European Parliament adopted a new regulation that will target content such as texts, images, sound recordings or videos, including live transmissions, that incite, solicit or contribute to terrorist offences, provide instructions for such offences or solicit people to participate in a terrorist group. It will also cover material that provides guidance on how to make and use explosives, firearms and other weapons for terrorist purposes.

Hosting service providers will have to remove or disable access to flagged terrorist content in all member states within one hour of receiving a removal order from the competent authority. Member states will adopt rules on penalties, the degree of which will take into account the nature of the breach and the size of company responsible.

Fight against terrorism

In a November plenary vote Parliament demanded&nbsp;a robust and multifaceted approach to combat all forms of racism and discrimination, including structural and institutional racism, in the EU.

In a resolution&nbsp;Parliament strongly condemned&nbsp;that minorities and migrants, including LGBTQI persons, face structural racism, discrimination, hate, sustained inequalities, difficulties in accessing the justice system, and violence by the police.

As reported by the 2019 Eurobarometer, over half of Europeans believe that racial discrimination is widespread in their country, with “Being Roma” (61% of respondents), “Ethnic origin” (59%) and “Skin colour” (59%) being the top three grounds for discrimination.

On 18 September 2020, the European Commission published its communication “A Union of equality: EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025”. Concretely, the Action Plan calls for better enforcement of EU law; closer coordination, including through the appointment of a Coordinator for Anti-racism; the adoption of national action plans against racism and racial discrimination; more efforts in preventing discriminatory attitudes by law enforcement authorities; and increased diversity of staff in the EU institutions. Equality is one of the fundamental values on which the EU is founded.

It is duly reflected in the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. International agreements, such as the European Convention on Human Rights also prohibit discrimination on various grounds, with limited exceptions in justified cases. With regard to the fight against racism and xenophobia, the main EU instrument is the Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law. This framework decision harmonises criminal definitions and sanctions.&nbsp;

Fight against racism and xenophobia

Nearly all European countries have been affected by terrorism in one form or another and tackling it has never been easy.

 
The attacks in Nice, Brussels and Paris demonstrated once again the challenge of finding a rapid and effective response to those who would destroy us, while safeguarding our freedom and way of life. In the unfolding battle against terror, Parliament has an active role to play.

Fight against terrorism - 8th parliamentary term

Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism.

Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon. EU spending in the area of counter-terrorism has increased over the years and is set to grow in the future, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security, such as Europol and eu-LISA.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/fight-against-terrorism-8th-parliamentary-term_2802_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Fight against terrorism (2019-2020)

The Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) was set up in July 2017 and started its work in September 2017 to evaluate how to better fight terrorism. The two co-rapporteurs Ms Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE) and Ms Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE) together with the other TERR Members presented a final report to address the practical and legislative deficiencies in the fight against terrorism. Their recommendations show a way to overcome these deficiencies and to improve the fight against terrorism in the European Union. Meanwhile, the DALTON report asks Internet companies to remove terrorist content within one hour after receiving an order from the authorities to combat radicalisation and contribute to public security.

#EUelections2019 - Fight against terrorism

After a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, MEPs discuss how to manage unauthorised movements of third-country nationals within the EU. This follows Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls on all land borders for six months to improve detection of illegal entries.

MEPs are raising concerns about the impact of these checks on Schengen free movement and reviewing preparations for the upcoming Pact on Migration and Asylum, set for 2026. The Pact focuses on strengthening security checks and accelerating asylum and return procedures for those not entitled to protection.

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return

European, German, French and Croatian flags at half-mast in Brussels and in Strasbourg, as a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, the Chido Cyclone in Mayotte, France and the knife attack at an elementary school in Zagreb, Croatia

EP Plenary session - Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea

EP Plenary session - Protecting the EU budget and ensuring that EU funds do not benefit entities or individuals linked to terrorist or Islamist movement

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Islamist terrorist attack on French schools and the need to protect people and promote social cohesion

European, Swedish and Belgian flags at half-mast at the EP headquarters in Brussels, following the attack in Brussels

European and Belgian flags at half-mast at the EP headquarters in Strasbourg, following the attack in Brussels

Moment of remembrance to pay tribute to the victims of acts of terrorism with the participation of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

EP Plenary session - Terrorist threats posed by far-right extremist networks defying the democratic constitutional order

SEDE Subcommittee - Exchange of views with Ilkka SALMI, new EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator

Ceremony conferring an honorary degree in European and International Studies to Antonio Megalizzi, University of Trento: - Press Point by David SASSOLI, EP President.

Plenary Session - The situation in Sri Lanka, in particular the arrests under the Prevention of Terrorism Act

EP Plenary session - Preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online

European and Italian flags at half-mast as a tribute to Italian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Luca ATTANASIO following his assassination

David SASSOLI, EP President in video meeting with the parents of Giulio REGENI, young Italian killed in Egypt.

EP Plenary session - EU Security Union Strategy - MEPs debate

LIBE - EP Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home AffairsSecurity Dialogue on the recent terrorist attacks and the ways to combat terrorism - Presentation and exchange of views with Ylva JOHANSSON,  European Commissioner for Home Affairs

EP Plenary session - Fighting Terrorism and the right to freedom of expression and education

During the meeting of the Committee on Civil liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) in the EP in Brussels, Frans TIMMERMANS, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, expresses himslef on the occasion of the commemorations of Brussels terrorist attacks in Maelbeek underground station an in Brussels Airport Zaventem&nbsp;(22/03/2016) and on&nbsp;today's incident in London.

Commemorations of terrorist attacks in Brussels (22/03/2016) and today's incident in London: Statement by Frans TIMMERMANS, Vice-President of the EC

All Members and Staff of the European Parliament are invited by&nbsp;Antonio TAJANI, EP President to come together in front of the Hemicycle to commemorate the victims of the 2016 terrorist attacks.

Minute of Silence to commemorate the victims of the 2016 terrorist attacks in Brussels: ambiance shots

One year after the terrorist attacks in Maelbeek metro station and in Brussels Airport, Zaventem&nbsp;(22/03/2016), a Monument for the victims is inaugurated at the "Rond-point Schuman"&nbsp;in the presence of Antonio TAJANI, EP President. Exterior views Petite rue de la Loi, ahead the ceremony. Arrival of Belgian government officials, Donald Tusk, President of the Council, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Jean-Claude Juncker, EC President. Arrival of the King and Queen of Belgians, Philippe and Mathilde, handhake with the vicitims and families, with EU officials. Statement by PHILIPPE OF BELGIUM and statement of victims' members of families and a representative of the emergency and rescue services. Laying of a wreath of flowers on the monument.

Inauguration ceremony of the Monument for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Brussels (22/03/2016): extracts from the ceremony in the presence of Antonio TAJANI, EP President and atmosphere shots

During the EP plenary session (13 - 16 March 2017) in Strasbourg, Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Ian BORG, Maltese Presidency of the EU sign various legislative acts: e.g on combating terrorism,&nbsp;on external borders,&nbsp;on "farm to fork",&nbsp;on bananas Trade Agreement between the EU and Colombia, Peru and Central America, and on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: the Netherlands.
Family photo with Ian BORG, Maltese Presidency of the EU, AntonioTAJANI,&nbsp; EP President, and the rapporteurs&nbsp;Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), MACOVEI Monica (ECR, RO), Karin KADENBACH (S&amp;D, AT), Adina-Ioana VALEAN (EPP, RO), Marielle DE SARNEZ (ALDE, FR), Bernd LANGE (S&amp;D, DE).

Lex Signing ceremony in the presence of Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Ian BORG, Maltese Presidency of the EU

During the EP plenary session (13 - 16 March 2017) in Strasbourg, MEP debate on EU Security agenda, one year after the terrorist attacks in Maelbeek metro station and in Brussels Airport Zaventem (22/03/2016). Statements by Ian BORG, Maltese Presidency of the EU, Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Tanja FAJON (S&amp;D, SI), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), and Malin BJ&Ouml;RK (GUE/NGL, SE).

EU Security agenda; one year after the Brussels attacks: extracts from the debate

During the EP Plenary session (13-16/02) in Strasbourg, the results from the vote&nbsp;on combating terrorism are:&nbsp;498 in favour,&nbsp;114against, &nbsp;29 abstentions. The report is adopted

Combating terrorism: extracts from the vote

During the EP Plenary session (13-16/02) in Strasbourg, Monica MACOVEI (ECR, RO), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, Marielle DE SARNEZ (ALDE, FR), Tanja FAJON (S&amp;D, SI), Sophia IN'T VELD (ALDE, NL), Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR)&nbsp; debate&nbsp;on reinforcement of checks against relevant databases at external borders

Reinforcement of checks against relevant databases at external borders: extracts from the debate

During the EP Plenary session (13-16/02) in Strasbourg, Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, Eva JOLY (Greens/EFA, FR), Josef WEIDENHOLZER (S&amp;D, AU), Jan Philipp ALBRECHT (Greens/EFA, DE), Peter NIEDERMULLER (S&amp;D, HU)&nbsp;debate&nbsp;on combating terrorism.

Combating terrorism: extracts from the debate

Meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs&nbsp;in the EP in Brussels. Presentation by Rob WAINWRIGHT, Director of Europol EP on Europol data breach on terrorism investigation files, and statementsby Iratxe GARCIA PEREZ (S&amp;D, ES), Juan Fernando LOPEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), Sophia IN'T VELD,&nbsp; Carlos COELHO (EPP, PT) and Ana GOMES (S&amp;D, PT).&nbsp;

Europol data breach on terrorism investigation files: presentation by Rob WAINWRIGHT, Director of Europol

On the occasion of his 1st official visit to Rome in Italy, Antonio TAJANI, EP President,&nbsp;meets with Paolo GENTILONI, Italian Prime Minister. He also reacts after&nbsp;terrorist attack in a mosque in Quebec.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Official visit of Antonio TAJANI, EP President to Rome, Italy: meeting with Paolo GENTILONI, Italian Prime Minister and extracts from the statements on the terrorist attack in a mosque in Quebec

After a man ploughed a lorry into a Christmas market in the heart of Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 48, the German and European flags have been lowered at the European Parliament in Brussels.

German and European flags at half-mast at the European Parliament following the truck crashes into Christmas market in Berlin (19/12)

Meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs with Bernard CAZENEUVE, French Minister for the Interior, in the EP in Brussels. Statements by Agustin DIAZ DE MERA GARCIA CONSUEGRA (EPP, ES), Rapporteur, Bernard CAZENEUVE, French Minister for the Interior, and Birgit SIPPEL (S&amp;D, DE).

Exchange of views with Bernard CAZENEUVE, French Minister for the Interior: extracts from the meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents, during the EP plenary session (21-24/11) in Strasbourg. Arrival and roundtable. Cutaways of Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Syed KAMALL (ECR, UK), Marine LE PEN (ENF, FR), David BORRELLI (IT,EFDD), Gabriele ZIMMER (GUE/NGL, DE) and Martin SCHULZ, EP President.

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents : arrival and roundtable

During the EP plenary session (24-27/10) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the situation in Northern Iraq and Mosul. Statements by Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, representing Frederica MOGHERINI, Lars ADAKTUSSON (EPP, SE), Victor BOSTINARU (S&amp;D, RO), and Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK).

Situation in Northern Iraq and Mosul: extracts from the debate

During the EP plenary session (24-27/10) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate&nbsp;on the Internal Security in the EU - progress made in the implementation of adopted security measures and challenges ahead. Statements by Ivan KORCOK, President-in-office of the Council, Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), Birgit SIPPEL (S&amp;D, DE), Sophia IN'T VELD (ALDE, NL), Cornelia ERNST (GUE/NGL, DE), and Eva JOLY (Greens/EFA, FR).

Internal Security in the EU - progress made in the implementation of adopted security measures and challenges ahead: extracts from the debate

Meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) with Gilles de KERCHOVE, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator on the fight against terrorism and recent attacks in Member States, in the EP in Brussels. Statements by Gilles DE KERCHOVE, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Timothy KIRKHOPE (ECR, UK), Sophia IN'T VELD (ALDE, NL) and Ana GOMES (S&amp;D, PT).

Exchange of views with Gilles de KERCHOVE, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator on the fight against terrorism and recent attacks in Member States: extracts from the meeting

State of the European Union debate: illustrative images from SOTEU debate 2015 and main topics such as&nbsp;immigration, growth and employment, climate change, fight against&nbsp;terrorism, taxation and Brexit.

Debate on the State of the European Union 2016: main events and topics - illustrative footage

Statement by Martin SCHULZ, EP President following the Nice attack.

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